ANNUAL REPORT
The University of Newcastle Report of Operations 2018
NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU REPORT OBJECTIVES This Annual Report provides information for Government, students, staff and the local and international communities we support. The Report summarises The University of Newcastle’s achievements in 2018 and outlines our financial position as at 31 December 2018. It reviews activity against our strategic objectives and highlights key milestones reached and immediate priorities for 2019. Our Annual Report is also available on our website at: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/annual-report
LETTER OF SUBMISSION On behalf of the University, we submit our Annual Report for presentation to Parliament, following a resolution of the Council on 29 March 2019. The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with relevant legislation including the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (NSW).
Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans Professor Alex Zelinsky AO Chancellor Vice-Chancellor and President
TRADITIONAL OWNERS We acknowledge and respect the Awabakal, Darkinjung and Birapai peoples, traditional custodians of the lands where our main campuses are located.
COVER PHOTO Associate Professor Kym Rae founded the Gomeroi gaaynggal project, a long-term study of Indigenous babies’ and mothers’ health starting before birth and continuing for years into a child’s development, to ensure better outcomes. The Arts Health Program is another of Kym’s projects, providing a culturally safe place to transfer knowledge from Elders and health professionals alike. This new approach sees the past inform the present, and the future preserve the past. 2019 1000 | CRICOS Provider 00109J 00109J Provider 1000 | CRICOS 2019 RANKED 214 in the world1
TOP 200 10 subjects ranked in the top 200 globally2
TOP 8 in Australia for research ‘well-above world standard’3
OVER 90% of our research is ‘at’ or ‘above world standard’3
TOP 9 in Australia for research income (HERDC), $100.8M in total4
1 QS World University Rankings 2018 2 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 3 Excellence in Research Australia 2015 4 The Audited Higher Education Research Data Collection Returns 2017
3 OVERVIEW PART 1: OVERVIEW THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE BY NUMBERS 6 CHANCELLOR’S AND VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE 8 ABOUT US 10 CELEBRATING OUR 7TH VICE-CHANCELLOR 13 KEY STATISTICS 14 YEAR IN REVIEW 16 AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 20
PART 2: CONNECTING - INNOVATING - TRANSFORMING EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS 28 TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING 38 INNOVATION AND WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH 46 ENGAGING GLOBALLY 54 CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES 64 SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING OUR PEOPLE 72 WORKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 76 MANAGING AND GOVERNING 82
PART 3: FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 100 SUBSIDIARIES 106 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 108 INCOME STATEMENT 109 STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 110 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 111 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 112 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 114 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 115 STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL 185 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 186
PART 4: COMPLIANCE REPORT A. FIVE YEAR STATISTICS 192 B. ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 193 AND ASSURANCE C. STUDENT STATISTICS 195 D. EQUITY AND DIVERSITY 196 E. HUMAN RESOURCES 202 F. EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION 208 G. RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 209 H. DIGITAL INFORMATION SECURITY ANNUAL ATTESTATION 210 STATEMENT I. ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING 210 J. ACCESS TO INFORMATION 212 K. CONSUMER RESPONSE 215 L. REVIEWS 216 M. LEGAL MATTERS 217 N. MAJOR WORKS 218
GLOSSARY 222 INDEX 224 PART 1 OVERVIEW The University has made significant progress in its fifty-three year history. As we plan for the future, we will work to maintain our positive local and global presence and to provide our talented students with an enabling and challenging education experience.”
4 | The University of Newcastle 5 OVERVIEW
newcastle.edu.au | 5 6 OVERVIEW THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE BY NUMBERS THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE BY NUMBERS
No.1 7,221 university in Australia for international 300+ Innovation Connections for enrolments from industry partners ‘industry collaboration’¹ over 114 countries2 2,521 postgraduate students by coursework 1,428 postgraduate students by research
$90K median salary ALTERNATIVE for postgraduate ENTRY PROGRAMS employment4 WGEA largest provider of Employer of Choice alternate entry programs for Gender Equality, in Australia 4 years in a row
1. League table 2017, Innovation Connections program, AusIndustry. 2. UON Data Warehouse 7 February 2019 3. Overall Employment - postgraduate coursework Graduate Destination Survey 2018, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018 (qilt.edu.au) 4. UON Data Warehouse 7 February 2019 5. 2019 Good Universities Guide 6. UON Data Warehouse, as at 7 February 2019 7. Excellence in Research Australia, 2015 8. UON Data Warehouse 7 February 2019
6 | The University of Newcastle 7 OVERVIEW THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE BY NUMBERS
FACULTIESFIVE Engineering and Built Environment, Health and Medicine, 5-STAR Science, Business and Law and maximum rating for overall experience 5 Education and Arts and social equity
36,677 students from more than 114 nations educated and supported 95%+ TOP 8 by 2,680 staff6 postgraduate in Australia for research ‘well employment rate3 above world standard’7
OVER 142,000 1,000 alumni based in Indigenous enrolments - 145 countries across the globe the University of Newcastle being the first Australian university to achieve this8
newcastle.edu.au | 7 8 OVERVIEW CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGEAND VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT PROFESSOR ALEX ZELINSKY AO AND CHANCELLOR MR P.E. (PAUL) JEANS CHANCELLOR’S AND VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE “We work to support students, at every level of study and from all backgrounds, to achieve and to make a real contribution to society.”
This report provides an opportunity to reflect on a significant The University is home to some of the world’s best thinkers year for The University of Newcastle. We have operated in who, through inter-disciplinary research, are addressing the an environment that is increasingly global, complex and major challenges of our time. Our research is enriching our competitive with technological change and constrained student experience and changing lives, with trailblazers like resourcing. Despite an uncertain environment, 2018 was a year Professor Darren Shafren, whose research into the common of growth and planning for the future. cold virus has led to a major cancer treatment breakthrough This year marked a change in leadership with Professor and one of the largest biotech acquisitions in Australian Caroline McMillen departing and the appointment of history.¹ Our Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) program, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, our eighth Vice-Chancellor and designed by Laureate Professor Jenny Gore, Dr Julie Bowe and President. Caroline’s contribution to the University during her colleagues, continues to support teaching quality and positive seven-year tenure is celebrated within the body of this Report student interactions in the classroom. A $16.4 million grant (see page 13). from the Paul Ramsay Foundation (the largest philanthropic investment for research in the University’s history), will allow Professor Zelinsky’s appointment marks an important juncture the QTR team, the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the NSW in the history of the institution, and highlights our readiness Department of Education to expand the program to cater for to continually renew ourselves, to provide relevant, student- an additional 30,000 Australian teachers over the next five centred education for our students, and deliver world-class years.² Research income is supporting these efforts. We are research with positive community and commercial outcomes. one of only six universities to experience four successive years The financial performance of the University in 2018 remained of Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) income strong and we continued to strategically invest so that our growth, to be ranked in the top 9 of all Australian universities students and staff can excel. This year, we strengthened and to have earned over $100m in HERDC research income for our approach to responsible investment, including the the first time this year.³ consideration of environmental, social and governance Our teaching programs focus on real-world experience, strong (ESG) issues in our portfolios, while meeting core investment connections to industry and entrepreneurial opportunities. requirements such as risk and return. We continued to capitalise on the opportunities of digital
8 | The University of Newcastle 9 OVERVIEW CHANCELLOR’S AND VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE innovation, with new teaching tools making learning more accessible, engaging and relevant. The launch of our learner centred, Education Framework, embodies our commitment to the student experience. It supports our students to develop OUR NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR the academic and skills portfolio they need to thrive in PROFESSOR ALEX ZELINSKY AO our workplaces and communities of the future. Our Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Doctoral Training Professor Zelinsky was born in Wollongong and started Centre is fostering meaningful collaboration with industry and his working life as a cadet engineer at BHP in Port supporting tomorrow’s industry innovators. Kembla and completed undergraduate study at the University of Wollongong (UOW). This year a number of successful initiatives were rolled-out to support the employment outcomes of our graduates. He joined UOW as a lecturer in computer science in the With over 35,000 students from 114 countries, and more 1980s, studying for a part-time PhD in robotics. After than 142,000 alumni residing in 145 countries, our outlook completing his PhD, he spent time in Japan, working as is global. We continue to integrate inter-cultural and global a research scientist. perspectives into university life, engage with alumni and the When he returned to Australia, Professor Zelinsky community, refine our key institutional relationships, and joined ANU and was promoted to Professor of Systems strengthen our academic and research outreach. We offer our Engineering. In the dot-com boom of the late 90s, he students a range of immersive experiences that provide a real left ANU to work with some of his students, co-founding competitive edge. the company, Seeing Machines. The company developed The University and its business and government partners technology for use in driverless cars; it is currently listed continue to form strong collaborations to positively impact on the London Stock Exchange and employs several all of the regions we serve. The Conservatorium of Music hundred people in Canberra. and NeW Space are now firmly embedded in the fabric of Newcastle’s CBD. The planned Honeysuckle City Campus After the company was listed, Professor Zelinsky joined Development will further support creativity and innovation in The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research the city, while the development of the Central Coast Medical Organisation (CSIRO) to lead its research efforts in School and Research Institute continues to gather pace. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In University partnerships continue, with the NUW Alliance 2012, Alex became Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist (NUW) leveraging the values and objectives of The University and leader of Defence Science and Technology, part of of Newcastle (UON), University of New South Wales (UNSW Australia’s Department of Defence. Sydney) and University of Wollongong (UOW). Speaking of his recent appointment as the University’s eighth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zelinsky said he Through this major initiative, we’ll keenly appreciates the value of a first-in-family support future scientists, engineers, and university education. mathematicians not only in Newcastle, but across “I know what it is like to grow up in regional Australia the state and around the world.” in a migrant family, in an industrial city where the local University plays a central role in the community. I know A range of workplace health, safety and wellness initiatives, the difference that education can make to a person’s supported us this year as we continued to improve the health life. Working as a cadet I appreciated the value of work- and wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors. integrated learning.” Our staff continue to be key to our success, and we thank them for their excellence in education, research, professional Alex is also acutely aware of the need to balance services and innovation and for the significant contribution teaching and research responsibilities and of the they make to the communities we serve. We thank Council difficulty of translating research into viable products for colleagues, our former Vice-Chancellor, executive, staff, global markets. His work in publicly-funded research students, alumni, partners, community supporters and donors agencies has honed his consultative leadership who have contributed to our success in 2018. style and highlighted the value of team diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration and deep engagement We look forward to meeting the challenges and opportunities with business and government. He has welcomed his - and to our continuing success - in 2019. new role: “I am honoured to have joined the University of Newcastle which provides a unique environment for students and staff to grow as individuals and as a learning community. The University’s track record in widening participation, teaching excellence and research excellence speaks for itself. I want Newcastle to continue to be celebrated as an institution for social Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans Professor Alex Zelinsky AO progress, rooted in its vision of equity and excellence Chancellor Vice-Chancellor and President and powered by its approach to teaching, research and engagement.”
1. See the full story on page 46-47 2. See the full story on page 44 newcastle.edu.au | 9 3. HERDC- The Audited Higher Education Research Data Collection returns 2017 10 OVERVIEW ABOUT US ABOUT US At the University of Newcastle, we are committed to realising our bold 2025 vision to stand as a global leader, distinguished OUR 2025 VISION by our commitment to equity and excellence. The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader In our relatively short history, we have developed a strong distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence and reputation as an institution dedicated to outstanding to creating a better future for its regions through a focus on education and research. Currently ranked 214th in the world innovation and impact. by QS World University Rankings 2019, we are consistently EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ranked within Australia’s top 10 universities, and we have 10 subjects recognised in the top 200 in the world. We provide opportunities for people with ability, regardless of their background and experiences. We lead in providing Our degrees are shaped around global learning, work education for Indigenous Australians. placements and entrepreneurial opportunities. We offer more than 250 undergraduate and postgraduate coursework EXCELLENCE programs and over 150 research masters and PhD programs We are committed to delivering the highest quality in across five Faculties – Business and Law, Education and Arts, everything we do and we benchmark ourselves against the Engineering and Built Environment, Health and Medicine, and world’s best. Science. We are proud to be the largest provider of enabling programs ENGAGEMENT in Australia, and through the work of our Indigenous staff, Our staff, students and alumni are a resource for our whole communities and Elders, we have led Indigenous education community. We are partners and collaborators in world-class for more than 30 years. research, teaching and learning, and our skilled graduates contribute to our regions, Australia and the world. Across our campuses in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Port Macquarie, Sydney and Singapore, the University of Newcastle INNOVATION enrols more than 37,000 students from diverse backgrounds, We challenge standard practice and received wisdom. We are with a focus on developing the world’s next generation of world leaders in generating new knowledge and translating socially-oriented leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. innovative ideas into real benefits to society.
INTEGRITY We are open, ethical, rigorous and committed to the highest standards in academic enquiry. We are champions of academic freedom and professional responsibility.
SUSTAINABILITY We are leaders in environmental sustainability. We make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental capacity of our communities.
For further information visit: University of Newcastle history: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/history Faculties and schools: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/governance-and-leadership/faculties-and-schools Indigenous collaboration: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/indigenous-collaboration/the-wollotuka-institute Executive leadership: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/governance-and-leadership/executive-leadership
10 | The University of Newcastle 11 OVERVIEW ABOUT US LOCATIONS
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW)
SINGAPORE
newcastle.edu.au | 11 12 OVERVIEW ABOUT US ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE CHANCELLOR COUNCIL MR PAUL JEANS
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT ACADEMIC SENATE PROFESSOR ALEX ZELINSKY AO
RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ACADEMIC RESOURCES OFFICE OF THE AND INNOVATION AND ADVANCEMENT DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION CHANCELLOR DIVISION DIVISION
Vice-Chancellor Deputy Vice-Chancellor Senior Deputy Acting Pro Chief Operating University Secretary and President (Academic) Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Officer Mr David Cantrick-Brooks (Research and Professor Professor (International and Mr Nat McGregor Innovation) Alex Zelinsky AO Darrell Evans Advancement) Professor Kevin Hall Mr Dary Milani
• Assurance Services • Pro Vice-Chancellor • Pro Vice-Chancellor • Confucius Institute • Financial Services • Council and • Human Resource (Learning and Teaching) (Research and • Office of Alumni and • Infrastructure and Records Management Services • Pro Vice-Chancellor Innovation) Philanthropy Facilities Services • Marketing and (Indigenous Education • Pro Vice-Chancellor • Office of the DVC • Information Communications and Research) (Industry Engagement International and Technology and Innovation) • Office of the • Pro Vice-Chancellor Advancement • Legal Office (Academic) • Newcastle Innovation Vice-Chancellor • UON Global • Office of the COO • Dean of UON Central • Newcastle Institute for • President of • Strategy, Planning Academic Senate Coast Energy and Resources (NIER) and Performance • 2NURFM • Dean of UON Sydney • Dean of Students • Dean of Graduate CONTROLLED ENTITY Research • Director, Regional UON SINGAPORE Campuses • Office of the Senior DVC (Research and • Centre of Excellence Innovation) for Equity in Higher Acting Education • Office of the PVC (Research and Pro Vice-Chancellor • Centre for Teaching and Innovation) (Singapore) Learning • Research and Professor • English Language and Innovation Services Kevin Lyons Foundation Studies Centre • Office of the DVC (Academic) CONTROLLED ENTITY • Student Central TUNRA Dashed line denotes senior • The Wollotuka Institute point of contact between the • University Library University and its entities OTHER ENTITY CENTRE OF FULL EMPLOYMENT AND EQUITY
FACULTY OF FACULTY OF FACULTY OF BUSINESS FACULTY OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND ENGINEERING AND FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND LAW AND MEDICINE ARTS BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Pro Vice-Chancellor Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engineering and Built (Health and Medicine) (Science) Professor (Education and Arts) Environment) Laureate Professor Professor Lee Smith Tony Travaglione Professor John Fischetti Professor Brett Ninness John Aitken
• Newcastle Business • School of Creative • School of • School of • School of School Industries Architecture and Built Biomedical Sciences Environmental and Life • Newcastle Law School • School of Education Environment and Pharmacy Sciences • Hunter Research • School of • School of Electrical • School of Health • School of Foundation Centre Humanities and Social Engineering and Sciences Mathematical and Computing Physical Sciences • Research Institutes, Science • School of Medicine and Centres and Groups • Research Institutes, • School of Public Health • School of Centres and Groups Engineering • School of Nursing and Psychology • Research Institutes, Midwifery • Global Centre for Centres and Groups • Research Institutes, Environmental OTHER ENTITY Centres and Groups Remediation (GCER) CONSERVATORIUM • Research Institutes, OTHER ENTITY Centres and Groups OF MUSIC SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OTHER ENTITY CHALLENGE HUNTER MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
For further information visit: Vision and strategic direction: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/vision-and-strategic-direction NeW Futures Strategic Plan 2016-2025: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/vision-and-strategic-direction/new-futures-strategic-plan-2016-2025 Organisational structure: newcastle.edu.au/about-University of Newcastle/governance-and-leadership/organisational-structure
12 | The University of Newcastle 13 OVERVIEW 7TH VICE-CHANCELLOR
CELEBRATING OUR 7TH VICE-CHANCELLOR This year we bid farewell to our seventh Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, who had an expansive vision and ambition for the University.
While the role of Vice-Chancellor is bigger than any individual Professor McMillen supported a workforce that was inclusive is, and requires the support of a talented team, Professor of all talent. We were also proud to be one of the first McMillen will be remembered for championing the University organisations to pilot The Science in Australia Gender Equity during one of its most transformative periods as sectoral and – or SAGE – Initiative, which aims to reach gender parity in policy changes and funding insecurity intensified pressure science leadership by supporting the hiring, promotion, across the sector. participation and retention of women in STEMM. Under her stewardship, we strengthened our equity agenda Caroline was instrumental in bringing NeW Space, our $95 and our education and research focus, while growing our million campus building in Newcastle’s CBD to life. This iconic reputation and supporting our talented students and staff. precinct was delivered on time and on budget during 2018. Since the 1970s, the University has provided opportunities Another high point for the Vice–Chancellor and for the for people with ability and determination regardless of their University, saw the establishment of the Ma and Morley background. Under Caroline’s leadership this community Scholarship Program. This Program was made possible access and impact remained a key focus. through the very generous philanthropic support of Alibaba founder and executive chairman, Mr Jack Ma, through the Caroline actively supported our STEMM disciplines and our Jack Ma Foundation with the $26 million fund representing a interdisciplinary education and research across science, first of its kind scholarship program for the University. engineering and medicine. On the Central Coast, the Vice- Chancellor worked with local partners and stakeholders Caroline, a researcher of national and international standing, to gather support for the proposed medical research and has returned to her home state to take up the role of Chief educational facilities in Gosford. Scientist for South Australia.
< PROFESSOR CAROLINE MCMILLEN Our seventh Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, beside her portrait by Sydney-based artist Sally Ryan.
newcastle.edu.au | 13 14 OVERVIEW KEY STATISTICS KEY STATISTICS 25000 30000 10000 3000 8000 STUDENT ENROLMENTS STUDENT ENROLMENTS BY FACULTY AND AREA⁴ 50000000 Enrolments at the University continue to reflect the 7000 25000 University’s reputation and appeal regionally and globally. 2500 20000 The strength of our program offerings reflect the University’s8000 strategic focus on the student lifecycle, which includes 6000 40000000 20000 pathways into higher education, engagement with industry 2000 and professional experience, and success beyond university. 5000 15000 6000 30000000 15000 4000
English Language and Studies Foundation 1500
10000 4000 1 3000 20000000 10000 1000 Notes for graphs on pages 14 and 15: 1. Other University includes the Wollotuka Institute, non-award studies, 2000 5000 exchange and study abroad 2000 10000000 5000 2. Equivalent Full-time Student Load 500
3. The 2016 Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) Research Other University 1000 Income return is due for submission to the Commonwealth by 30 June 2018. Health and Medicine Business and Law Science Engineering and Built Environment Data for 2017 was not available at the time of publishing this report. Education and Arts 0 0 4. 2018 student data source: UON Data Warehouse, as at 7 February 2019. 0 0 0 0 Rounding errors may apply. 8,706 7,887 6,134 3,442 6,063 4,544 901
STUDENT ENROLMENTS BY CAMPUS⁴ STUDENT ENROLMENTS BY PROGRAM LEVEL⁴ 25000 25000 30000 30000 10000 10000 3000 3000 8000 8000 50000000 50000000 7000 7000 25000 25000 2500 2500 20000 20000 8000 8000 6000 6000 40000000 40000000 20000 20000 2000 2000 5000 5000 15000 15000 6000 6000 30000000 30000000 15000 15000 1500 1500 4000 4000 10000 4000 10000 4000 3000 3000 20000000 20000000 10000 10000 1000 1000 2000 2000 Postgraduate Coursework Postgraduate Newcastle City Newcastle
5000 5000 Coast Central 2000 2000 Other (includes GradSchool) 10000000 10000000 5000 5000Enabling 500 500 1000 1000 Higher Degree by Research by Higher Degree Port Macquarie Port English Language Intensive English Language Intensive Students Overseas for Courses Singapore Non-award Newcastle Undergraduate Sydney 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23,006 4,542 3,967 1,307 937 302 3,616 24,862 5,560 3,229 1,927 1,315 784
STUDENT LOAD AND ENROLMENTS 37,677 25,619 17,455 student enrolments student load (EFTSL)2 commencing enrolments 7,721 4,926 10,774 international international load (EFTSL)2 commencing load (EFTSL)2 enrolments
14 | The University of Newcastle 15 OVERVIEW KEY STATISTICS
25000 30000 10000 3000 8000 50000000 7000 RESEARCH INCOME BY SOURCE 2014-20173 25000 2500 20000 8000 6000 40000000 20000 2000 Research Block Grant 5000 15000 6000 Australian Competitive Grants Industry and Other 30000000 15000 4000 1500 Other Public Sector
Cooperative Research Centres 10000 4000 3000 20000000 10000 1000 2000 5000 2000 Source The Audited Higher Education10000000 5000 500 Research Data Collection returns 1000 (2013-2016) and Allocations Data for Research Block Grants 2001 to 2018. 44,438,617 38,963,877 29,686,228 23,583,885 726,328 41,325,419 34,504,613 35,991,225 23,908,231 888,345 41,093,834 37,121,497 31,723,328 30,035,905 398,383 40,523,059 37,004,075 33,917,523 28,117,885 1,729,305 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total research income: 137,398,936 136,617,833 140,372,946 141,291,847 2014 2015 2016 2017
STUDENT LOAD (EFTSL) BY FACULTY AND AREA⁴ TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL ENROLMENTS BY COUNTRY⁴ 25000 30000 25000 10000 3000 30000 10000 8000 3000 8000 50000000 50000000 7000 7000 25000 2500 25000 2500 20000 20000 8000 8000 6000 40000000 6000 40000000 20000 2000 20000 2000 5000 5000
15000 15000 6000 6000 Engineering and Built Environment 30000000 30000000 15000 1500 15000 4000 1500 4000
10000 10000 4000 4000 3000 1 20000000 3000 20000000 10000 1000 10000 1000 English Language and Studies Foundation 2000 India 2000 5000 5000 2000 2000 10000000 5000 500 5000 10000000500
1000 Malaysia Japan America of States United 1000 (SAR of China) (SAR Hong Kong the Union of of The Republic Myanmar, Bangladesh Nepal Other University Education and Arts Health and Medicine Business and Law Science (excludes SARs* and Taiwan) SARs* China (excludes Singapore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6,302 5,915 4,277 2,422 4,396 1,948 360 2,692 764 724 244 240 240 184 183 180 178
Note * Special Administrative Regions
FIXED TERM AND ONGOING STAFF FTE Rounding errors may apply
Source Department of 1,107 1,542 31 2,680 Education and Training Higher Education Staff Statistics as at Academic Professional Teacher Total staff FTE 31 March 2018 (excludes casuals)
newcastle.edu.au | 15 16 OVERVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW
YEAR IN REVIEW Here we look back at some of our achievements throughout the year and applaud some of the bold and brave thinkers who are transforming lives.
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY MARCH Defence forum focused on emerging research Six subjects ranked in top 100 • Leading research on emerging Virtual and Augmented • Fifteen subjects, including six in the top 100 were Reality technology was on show at the University- included in the 2018 QS World University Subject hosted, Australian Defence College (ADC) Simulation Rankings. The University’s Mineral Engineering subject Forum. The University and ADC have a Memorandum of maintained its ranking at number 30. Two subjects – Sport Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research into the and Anatomy - entered the independent global rankings use of virtual simulation for training. for the first time with Architecture, Nursing and Education rounding off our top six. Continuing to lead in gender equity • For the fourth consecutive year, we received the Employer Launch of new education record label of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation by the • In a move set to disrupt the Australian music business, Workplace for Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). One the University launched Baraya Records – a new-breed hundred and twenty organisations received the citation record label designed to create a pipeline of emerging this year. Australian musicians. The label allows artists to fast track their careers and combines education with real-world industry exposure and mentorship.
16 | The University of Newcastle 17 OVERVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW
SAGE ATHENA SWAN BRONZE AWARD Executive Director SAGE Dr Wafa El-Adhami (third from left) congratulates University of Newcastle Data Analyst Petrina Mosley, Equity and Diversity Manager Rachel Fowell, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Deb Hodgson, Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO and Director, People & Workforce Strategy Tina Crawford.
APRIL MAY Career Expo and networking event attracts key business Marking the first year of our landmark education facility leaders • The University’s Chancellor Mr Paul Jeans and Vice- • Over 700 of our high-performing students were targeted Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen welcomed the by more than 50 local businesses including AmpControl, Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW Minister Defence Force Recruiting, Lendlease, Pitcher Partners, for Education, Rob Stokes at our official opening of the Australian Taxation Office and Transport for NSW. the $95 million NeW Space facility as it reached its first The event strengthened local business relationships and year of operation. The building was funded through a highlighted our continuing commitment to supporting partnership between the University and State and Federal work-ready graduates. Governments.
A generosity of spirit lives on Increasing support for refugee students to transition to • Dr Alan Hewson (1927 – 2017) obstetrician and higher education gynaecologist is remembered for his surgical skill, • The University of Newcastle, in partnership with Curtin patient rapport and clinical teaching. In his will, Dr University and Macquarie University, completed a three- Hewson bequeathed his extensive book collection to year Office of Learning and Teaching national research the University, along with a gift of $50,000 ‘to be used or project that identified a number of unique challenges applied for the general purposes of continuing medical faced by refugees pursuing further education. Outputs education of medical practitioners in the Hunter region of from the research included new tools to support students New South Wales.’ at this critical point in their education journey.
newcastle.edu.au | 17 18 OVERVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW
JUNE AUGUST Eighth Vice-Chancellor announced Linking farm, field and laboratory • The University announced the appointment of Professor • Australia’s largest collaborative soil research initiative Alex Zelinsky AO as its next Vice-Chancellor and President. launched to support farmers to increase their productivity A world-renowned computer scientist, roboticist, and profitability. The Soil CRC brings together scientists, systems engineer and most recently Australia’s Chief industry and farmers to find practical solutions to address Defence Scientist, Professor Zelinsky’s career spans underperforming agricultural soils. The Soil CRC will be innovation, science and technology, education, research funded until 2027 with $40 million from the Australian and development, and commercial start-ups. Professor Government, $20 million from Soil CRC partners and $104 Zelinsky will be the eighth Vice-Chancellor in the million from in-kind contributions. University’s 53-year history, succeeding Professor Caroline McMillen who announced her intention to retire in 2017. Researchers recognised for their scientific contributions • Two outstanding mid-career researchers also received Continuing our climb up the QS World University almost $2 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Rankings Future Fellowships to advance their research discoveries • Moving up ten places since last year and rising 84 places in the fields of microbiology and the humanities. since 2014, The University of Newcastle ranked 214th Dr Karl Hassan received $874,125 to identify why some in the prestigious 2019 QS World University Rankings bacteria are resistant to drugs, while Professor Rosalind bringing the University closer to its goal of breaking Smith received $1,054,816 to examine women’s textual through to the world’s top 200 universities by 2020. practice in the English Renaissance. • Two emerging researchers, Dr Andrew Gardner and Dr JULY Serene Yoong, were winners in the NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Awards. Concussion expert with Hunter New English Language Centre in the top six in the world England Health (HNEH) and the Hunter Medical Research • Students from the University’s English Language Centre Institute (HMRI), Dr Gardner is investigating the longterm have ranked the institution in the top three in Australia effects of sports concussion in retired professional according to the most recent English Language Teaching rugby league players. As a dietitian expert also working (ELT) Barometer. The survey also placed the centre in the in conjunction with HMRI, Dr Yoong is developing and top six in the world, an increase of over 53 places since implementing nutrition guidelines in childcare centres to 2016. The bi-annual survey, measured student experience help address childhood obesity. and satisfaction by polling 19,000 global students.
Automation and Control ranked eighth in the world • The latest Academic Rankings of World Universities saw Automation and Control ranked eighth with five other subjects also ranked in the world’s top 150 for 2018.
SEPTEMBER Massacres map wins GeoCart award • The Colonial Frontiers Massacres Map has won the ‘best New agreement offers safety research opportunities for digital map’ award at the 2018 New Zealand Cartographic students Society GeoCart Conference. The map was submitted to the • SafeWork NSW’s Centre for Work Health and Safety and the National Map Exhibition where judges assessed its stated University have committed to work together to develop purpose, design, execution and presentation. work health and safety research expertise in Australia. Developed by University of Newcastle historian, Professor Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald Lyndall Ryan, a member of the Centre for 21st Century MLC confirmed that the Centre and the University’s Humanities and the Centre for the History of Violence, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would allow map stems from a project funded by an Australian Research university students and academics to engage in real-world Council (ARC) grant investigating Violence on the Australian work health and safety research to develop smarter, more Colonial Frontier, 1788-1960. innovative solutions.
18 | The University of Newcastle 19 OVERVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW
OCTOBER NOVEMBER Statement of Intent for Aerotropolis precinct announced University partnerships demonstrate powerful • The State government signed a Statement of Intent with community impact the NUW Alliance (University of Newcastle, University of • The University of Newcastle was recognised for Wollongong and University of NSW) and Western Sydney successfully developing and driving industry University to create a new higher education precinct in collaborations that provide significant benefits to Western Sydney adjacent to what will soon be Badgerys Australian communities and beyond. Two projects, one Creek Airport. led by Professor Darren Shafren and another led by Dr Terry Burns, were recognised for demonstrating high Sharing in the vision for the new ‘Aerotropolis precinct’, impact at the prestigious Business/Higher Education the four universities will be partnering to create a single Round Table (BHERT) Awards. institution where students will have unparalleled access to industry research, development and employment Recognising one of the largest biotech transactions opportunities. in Australian history, Professor Shafren received The project will have a clear focus on science, technology, the Outstanding Collaboration in Research and engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Development Award for his investigational anti-cancer therapy, CAVATAK®. Researchers awarded prestigious fellowships Established in the year 2000 as a capacity building • Internationally renowned clinical psychologist Professor outreach program to inspire primary and high Amanda Baker, and Conjoint Professor David Durrheim, school students to engage in science, technology, a leading public health researcher and advocate for engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, the immunisation, were among 37 new Fellows elected Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) led by Dr to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Terry Burns, received the Outstanding Collaboration Sciences (AAHMS) in recognition for their outstanding in Community Engagement Award. The initiative is contributions to health and medical research. one of the longest-running and most successful STEM engagement programs, reaching almost 50,000 people every year.
See page 47 for more on the CAVATAK® Biotech story. DECEMBER Commitment to equity and inclusivity recognised Heart failure researcher named rising star through Athena Swan Bronze award. • Associate Professor Aaron Sverdlov was recognised • The University of Newcastle was one of only 15 with the 2018 Ministerial Award for Rising Stars in universities or research institutes nationwide to receive a Cardiovascular Research. SAGE Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Associate Professor Aaron Sverdlov, The Director This recognition is an important milestone in the of Heart Failure at the University of Newcastle University’s ongoing journey to achieve gender equity and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) was and supports the steady progress made to create real recognised for his research work in the area of change. The University recently completed its two-year heart failure and cardio-oncology (cardiovascular pilot program and is focusing on a range of initiatives complications of cancer therapy). in its four year plan including: the establishment of key leadership roles among them being the inaugural Women in STEMM Chair and five new Assistant Deans Equity and The art of problem solving Diversity roles; the setting of KPIs for STEMM faculties • The University’s engineering and computing where the greatest underrepresentation of women exists; exhibition, The Art of Problem Solving, was featured ongoing funding for Women in Research Fellowships; and in the main gallery at Newcastle Museum as part the engagement of leaders and staff through our Gender of its Supernova Summer of Science program. The Equality Leadership Pledge. exhibition showcased our most exciting innovations The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative, – sensor gloves that teach sign language, a heart- established to pilot the United Kingdom’s Athena SWAN rate monitor for cows, a VR game to teach literacy, Charter in Australia, aims to improve gender equity satellites that map climate change and a computer and diversity in science, technology, engineering, game you control with your mind. mathematics and medicine (STEMM) within the Australian higher education and research sector. It is the first time the initiative has been run in Australia.
newcastle.edu.au | 19 20 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
20 | The University of Newcastle 21 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Education transforms lives – and it is this belief that underpins what we do. It drives our commitment to teaching and learning, unlocking students’ potential and preparing them to better shape the world.
STUDENTS Student designs new healthcare solutions Life after death An Honours student from the University will be one of the first Natural History Illustration student, Amie Jessop, won the to employ his innovative skillset to tackle some of the nation’s major category of ‘Portfolio Winner’ in Unisights ’18, the biggest health issues through an inaugural scholarship National Campus Photo & Video Competition. scheme donated by Australian health insurer, nib. Amie’s winning portfolio focused on specimens from the The nib Scholarship for User Centred Design Research allows University’s wildlife lab with detailed studies looking at the honours research students to explore the role that design form of a skull and the teeth of a frog. Amie walked away can play in communicating healthy lifestyle behaviours. with $1,000 cash, a $1,500 Canon voucher, a personalised Visual Communication Design Honours student and mentoring session and a $1,500 voucher for the University. scholarship recipient, Richard O’Regan, is particularly keen to understand why some people are less proactive about their For more information visit unisights.com.au/artwork/life-after-death health than others and the role that interventions can play in helping them to adopt healthier lifestyles. Wellness through surf therapy Innovating health care in regional Australia Occupational Therapy alumnus, Joel Pilgrim won a 2018 An online support tool developed by PhD student, Brian Westpac Social Change Fellowship for individuals who are Hill, won the ‘Regional Australia Institute’s 2018 Lightbulb committed to leading positive social change in Australia. Moments’ competition. Joel has combined his love of surfing with his experience The CleanM8 platform is a suite of digital tools that support in mental health clinics to create the Waves of Wellness people who are recovering from addiction to alcohol and other Foundation (WOW), a mental health charity promoting drugs (AOD) along with their clinicians and support carers. wellness through surf therapy. He has also written a children’s book, ‘Stand Up Stand Out’, to help young people think about The tool also helps to encourage new habits and reduce the mental health early on in life. risk of relapse. As an occupational therapist and health-tech innovator, Brian’s project was inspired by seeing friends lose Joel’s community commitment was also recognised when he loved ones and from his experience with local doctors and was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2018 NSW Young Australian rehabilitation services. of the Year and the 2016 University of Newcastle Alumni Award for ‘Exceptional Community Service’. Tourism student’s talent shines through
International recognition for Chamber Choir Third-year business student, Morgan Page, who was nominated by her lecturers, was the proud recipient of a The University’s Chamber Choir, Echology, claimed first place Minister’s Student Achiever Award recognising her academic at the International Kathaumixw Choral Festival in Canada achievement and promising talent. in the Adult Equal Voice division and second place in the Chamber Choir category. The multi-award winning choir of Morgan’s Business degree has allowed her to travel to current and former students and staff performed renaissance, Fiji under a New Colombo Grant for an international work contemporary and Indigenous-inspired pieces. placement to support community tourism development. She completed work experience at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and also volunteered at an international tourism and hospitality conference hosted by the Newcastle Business School this year. With future plans to work as a destination development officer or in destination marketing, Morgan will further hone her skills when she takes up a graduate position with Flight < NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD Centre Travel Group early next year. Natural History Illustration student, Amie Jessop, won the major category of ‘Portfolio Morgan was one of 12 recipients to receive an award from Winner’ in Unisights ’18, the National Campus NSW Minister for Tourism, Adam Marshall, at a ceremony in Photo & Video Competition. Parliament House.
newcastle.edu.au | 21 22 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
22 | The University of Newcastle 23 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Our staff are supported and recognised by their peers, for their academic, research and community-focused outcomes.
STAFF Researcher reveals new ways to catch killer cells A pioneering young scientist from Newcastle has received Young scientist recognised as emerging researcher national recognition for using stem cell research to An up-and-coming postdoctoral researcher from the investigate ways of improving the survival rates for leukemia. University was one of eight promising young Australian scientists invited to attend an annual gathering of Nobel Dr Heather Lee received one of two prestigious $50,000 Laureates. Metcalf Prizes from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia in recognition of her leadership in stem cell Researching in conjunction with Hunter Medical Research research. Institute to improve the health of young men, Dr Lee Ashton joined 592 other international young scientists for the 68th While working at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, Dr Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. Lee invented a way to study the genetics of individual cells more closely that will help understand why some cancer cells A physical activity researcher, Dr Ashton is developing are treatable and others go rogue. healthy-eating and weight-loss programs tailored to young men aged between 18 to 25 years, many of whom are Conducting research in conjunction with the University of overweight or obese and fail to meet national dietary or Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), exercise recommendations. Dr Lee is now a Cancer Institute NSW Fellow. Her current research is studying cells from patients with Laureate Professor Jenny Gore conferred Visiting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to see how just a few cells can Professor at Oxford and awarded education medal resist treatment and go on to cause a fatal relapse. Laureate Professor Jenny Gore became the second academic to be conferred with a visiting professorship in It is hoped that findings from this research will lead to new, the Department of Education at the University of Oxford – more effective drug treatments for AML, which impacts the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Further approximately 900 people each year in Australia. recognition for Laureate Professor Gore came when she received the prestigious Dr Paul Brock Memorial Medal for substantial contributions to her field, becoming the third recipient and the first academic to receive the award.
< EMERGING RESEARCHER Postdoctoral researcher, Dr Lee Ashton was invited to attend an annual gathering of Nobel Laureates.
* Hunter Medical Research Institute is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.
newcastle.edu.au | 23 24 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
STAFF Neurogastroenterologist named NSW Scientist of the Year Laureate Professor Nick Talley, AC, was announced as the Harvard University Fellowship 2018 NSW Scientist of the Year, becoming The University Academic and architect Dr Cathy Smith has been honoured of Newcastle fourth academic in the past eleven years, to with a prestigious Harvard University Graduate School of receive this prestigious award. Design (GSD) 2018 Richard Rogers Fellowship. Dr Smith, who is a Senior Lecturer in our School of Architecture and Built Laureate Professor Talley was also recognised this year with Environment, was among six winners from across the globe to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Australia embark on the program. Day honours and was awarded the Peter Wills Medal at the Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards, Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson joins list of for his pioneering research and education in the field of outstanding scientists gastroenterology and epidemiology. Chemical engineer Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO Listed among the 400 most highly cited biomedical scientists was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, which boasts a select in the world, Laureate Professor Talley is invited to lecture fellowship of 1,600 of the world’s most eminent scientists. The across the globe, and has published more than 1,300 high Director of the University’s Centre for Multiphase Processes quality papers in top ranking journals with an h-index of 167. invented the Jameson Cell, a mineral processing technology that is operating in 25 countries and is estimated to have In 2017, Laureate Professor Talley was named Australia’s most earned nearly $40 billion for the Australian export industry. cited academic by Google Scholar and currently has more than 95,000 citations in the medical literature. Professor Ajayan Vinu receives international recognition Professor Ajayan Vinu of the University’s School of Ground breaking achievement for soil researcher Engineering, has been elected Fellow of the World Academy Soil science researcher Professor Nanthi Bolan has been of Art and Science (WAAS). He joins an international network named on the Global Highly Cited Researchers List 2018. of approximately 730 fellows from more than 80 countries Professor Bolan is one of just three soil scientists from with membership considered to be one of the highest Australia to make the prestigious list, which recognises honours that can be accorded to a scientist. During the year, researchers worldwide who place in the top 1% of their field Professor Vinu was also elected to the World Academy of by citations. Ceramics Academicians. Professor of Environmental Chemistry at the University’s Professor Vinu is our Global Innovation Chair for Advanced Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, his research Nanomaterials and the Inaugural Director of the Global explores the management of soil fertility for sustainable Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials at the agricultural production and environmental protection. University. Professor Bolan is also leading a program for the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soil aimed at Honour for local historian developing new products to increase fertility and production. Recognised for her outstanding contribution to the humanities in Australia, Professor Lyndall Ryan has been elected to the Australian Academy of Humanities, which is the highest honour of achievement in this field. Specialising in Australian colonial and post-colonial history, massacre studies and Australian feminist history, Professor Ryan documented a highly-regarded digital map detailing records of nearly 250 Aboriginal massacre site locations.
DR CATHY SMITH > Honoured with a prestigious Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) 2018 Richard Rogers Fellowship
24 | The University of Newcastle 25 OVERVIEW AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
newcastle.edu.au | 25 PART 2 REPORT OF OPERATIONS Connecting, innovating and transforming the lives of our students, staff and communities.”
HISTORIC COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP FOR PRINTED SOLAR CELLS Professor Paul Dastoor’s organic printed solar cells first commercial- scale installation at CHEP’s Beresfield pallet repair facility.
26 | The University of Newcastle 27 REPORT OF OPERATIONS
newcastle.edu.au | 27 28 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
28 | The University of Newcastle 29 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS We encourage our students to be creative, analytical and influential thinkers as they explore new ideas and take their place in the world.
Bachelor of Music student, Jacob Ridgeway, is passionate “I have been told that my boldness and about music and has a deep connection to his culture and commitment to my dream inspired people in our heritage. As a Worimi man from Port Stephens, Jacob’s undergraduate career began in Newcastle with the local community to chase their own dreams and Wollotuka Institute’s Yapug enabling program. goals.” Jacob’s study plans were shelved when he had to take on full- time work; they resumed when he completed an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts at the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts in Brisbane. Jacob then returned to take up a Bachelor of Music at Newcastle where his talent as a singer-songwriter was recognised with the Norman Bushman Scholarship for Studies in Voice. Jacob is actively pursuing his passion, performing for national and international audiences and connecting with other talented musicians while he mentors and shares his Indigenous culture with primary school students and with Indigenous communities up and down the country.
< JACOB RIDGEWAY Bachelor of Music Completed Yapug, 2018
newcastle.edu.au | 29 30 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
PAVING THE WAY FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
Following in the footsteps of her Aunty, Professor Gail Garvey, Nicole Whitson is proud to be the third person to graduate from her large Indigenous family of almost 40 immediate relatives.
Commencing her studies at the University as an Open Foundation student, Nicole has graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction. Nicole is particularly interested in medical care for Indigenous people and enjoyed the opportunity to tailor her study to reflect her interests. During her course she took a placement at the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Medical centre in Wyong, attended rural obstetrics clinics in Moree - the birthplace of her Nan, and completed an elective subject at the Menzies School of Health Research in Brisbane, where she explored barriers to early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers in Indigenous women.
NICOLE WHITSON Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction
30 | The University of Newcastle 31 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
ROBOT TO THE RESCUE A KINDERGARTEN DREAM COME TRUE Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and With a dream of becoming a lawyer since kindergarten, Electronic) and Master of Professional Engineering Sapphire Dawson persevered despite initially failing to (Electrical and Electronic) graduate Eric Johns is meet the required entry score. developing life-saving technology for rescuers and their With assistance from Yapug, a University pathway program victims. designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Drawing support from the University’s future-focused secure skills for undergraduate degrees, Sapphire, who is facilities, Eric designed a search rescue robot that uses Virtual a Yuin Indigenous woman, earned her place in her dream Reality technology to allow rescue personnel to reach victims degree. without placing themselves in danger. Sapphire celebrated another milestone achievement at The robot can be used at mine sites, for nuclear or chemical graduation, being the first in her family to graduate, showing incidents, and in unstable buildings after earthquakes. The her cousins what can be done and inspiring them to go to operator wears a set of goggles allowing him to ‘see through’ university too. the eyes of the rescue robot, while handheld controls Sapphire’s kindergarten dream recently came full circle manipulate the device’s arms. when she relocated to Canberra to join the legal team at the Eric completed the University’s intensive course in Advanced Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Control System Design and developed a surf life-saving drone that pinpointed swimmers or surfers in distress and provided WIND TURBINE INNOVATOR WINS STANFORD a flotation device and oral support from rescue personnel for SCHOLARSHIP his Honours degree project. An innovator, who developed a wind turbine that can GRADUATE WHO IS BRIDGING THE GAP IN RURAL produce greater power output than existing ones, won the inaugural Stanford Australia Foundation – CSIRO HEALTH Scholarship. Graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Joss Kesby, team leader and co-founder of Diffuse Energy, Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and along with colleagues James Bradley and Sam Evans, have currently practising as a paediatric physiotherapist, Luke developed a small wind turbine enclosed in a diffuser that Wakely is passionate about minimising inequity in health, can produce nearly twice the power output of existing wind particularly for children who live in rural areas. turbines of the same size. As the only paediatric physiotherapist running a private The inaugural Stanford Australia Foundation – CSIRO practice in Tamworth and its surrounding areas, Luke sees Scholarship provides a $30,000 contribution towards course many of the challenges rural families face in accessing fees and travel for Mr Kesby to attend a program at Stanford’s healthcare as he works to improve health outcomes for Graduate School of Business (GSB) in California, USA. younger people in rural areas. Luke is the clinical mentor for physiotherapy at the ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE NAMED BEST IN THE University’s Department of Rural Health and is eager to see STATE the representation of allied health professionals in rural For the second year running, a Master of Architecture areas continue to grow. alumnus received the New South Wales (NSW) Graduate Medal, which is the most prestigious state award for architecture graduates. This year’s title went to Andrew Hannah-Davies for his final-year project, Beneath the Surface, which proposed redevelopment of the existing facilities and surrounding landscape of the famous healing waters at Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre. As a site of cultural and historical significance, Andrew’s project focused on the social, physical and ethereal journey of healing and tackled issues of segregation, Indigenous exclusion and the need for quality public infrastructure for Moree residents.
newcastle.edu.au | 31 32 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
MATTHEW WINS AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SILVER MEDAL AT WINTER OLYMPICS
Elite student-athlete Matthew Graham is no stranger to competing on a global stage and this year won Australia’s first Winter Olympic medal.
Ranked third in the world, Matt was awarded 82.57 points in the final freestyle moguls at PyeongChang in South Korea to take the Silver medal. Navigating the bumps and jumps of the mogul slope in just 25 seconds, Matt saved his most impressive run for last. As he skied his way to success, elite student-athlete Matt was also juggling a double degree with a Bachelor of Engineering 130 (Civil) and Bachelor of Business. With support from the university’s Elite Athlete Friendly University Program, Matt, student-athletes who is originally from the Central Coast, is a perfect example participate in our of how determination, motivation, focus and sheer drive Elite Athlete program produces stellar outcomes across both sport and academia. Through its Elite Athlete program, the University supports high-level sports people to balance the demands of International competition with tertiary study, with approximately 130 student-athletes participating in the program during the year.
MATTHEW GRAHAM > Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/ Bachelor of Business
32 | The University of Newcastle 33 REPORT OF OPERATIONS AN ENDURING COMMITMENTEXPLORING TO NEWEQUITY IDEAS AND – SOCIALOUR STUDENTS JUSTICE
newcastle.edu.au | 33 34 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
COMBINING MATHS AND MUSIC IN FIBRE ART
Fine Art student Louisa Magrics’ crochet-based installation, Hyperweb, featured in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney as part of this year’s Vivid festival of light and music.
Suspended six metres in the air and using more than three kilometres of rope, the web-like, hand-crocheted structure was designed to illustrate the interconnected relationship between mathematical patterns, shapes and musical concepts. The web component used the number sequences that underlie rhythm. The sequences were then embedded in crochet to create geometric patterns and transformed into a three dimensional netted tensile structure. Assembled in collaboration with Sydney lighting designer Calum Young, International multimedia artist Stephen Haynes and Sydney-based sound collective, bitzPink, the installation included site-responsive sound and lighting. Photo caption: Hyperweb. Lighting design by Jenna Blayden and photography by Louisa Magrics.
34 | The University of Newcastle 35 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
newcastle.edu.au | 35 36 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
BUILDING A DIVERSE SKILLSET THAT GETS YOU NOTICED
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design student Reid McManus attracted global attention with his animations screening at five festivals during the year.
A broad range of core and elective courses at the University COLLABORATING ON NEW brought Reid to Newcastle where a typical day sees him The University’s latest brand film ‘The Power of New’ working in The Plasmatic Research Laboratory learning a celebrates and demonstrates the power of collaboration wide range of graphic design techniques and building his in both its content and production. personal portfolio. Reid’s internship has led to job offers with one of his projects, Food for Fraught, attracting global Shot using a single take, the film introduced life-changing attention and screening at five animation festivals from (NEW) ideas from some of our researchers, students and Melbourne to Croatia and the Czech Republic. alumni with the video offering valuable opportunities for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). In all thirty students, See Food for Fraught at vimeo.com/246917979 researchers, alumni, and members of the Marketing and Communications team took part in the film.
See The Power of New at newcastle.edu.au/new
REID MCMANUS Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours)
36 | The University of Newcastle 37 REPORT OF OPERATIONS EXPLORING NEW IDEAS – OUR STUDENTS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDENT RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP TO PURSUE HIS DREAM
Our world-class $1.5 million on-campus radiopharmacy laboratory is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere with facilities that help students like Jack Berry to succeed.
Nuclear medicine student, Jack Berry, headed to New York to Jack participated in independent research projects in chase his dream of becoming an oncology researcher. a pharmaceutical lab working under the mentorship of Dr Jason Lewis – a world-renowned radiochemist. The The third year Nuclear Medicine student was selected opportunity also provided an insight into what a future as the only Australian to receive a scholarship from Telix research career might look like in one of the top research Pharmaceuticals Limited to attend its Molecular Imaging facilities for nuclear medicine in the world. Summer Program at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. The 10-week research program provided undergraduate interns like Jack with practical, laboratory-based experience to develop their skills and address biomedically focused research questions.
JACK BERRY Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Nuclear Medicine)
newcastle.edu.au | 37 38 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
38 | The University of Newcastle 39 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING We provide flexible and inclusive teaching for a positive student experience with teachers, researchers and students collaborating to support employability outcomes.
ORAL HEALTH STUDENTS TEST THEIR NERVE IN A Road to Birth is another game-changer for students VIRTUAL WORLD providing Virtual Reality (VR) insight into the internal stages of childbearing and its effect on the human body. A ground-breaking simulation is providing Oral Health students with a unique opportunity to practice administering Through the use of a digital headset, Road to Birth takes dental injections in a virtual environment before they enter users on a journey through pregnancy, depicting a life- the patient clinic. size female figure in front of them, whose gestation can be explored and observed. A first-of-its-kind for the field, the initiative is the brainchild of Mrs Denise Higgins, Lecturer in Oral Health and Simulation Key features of the technology include crucial birth Coordinator. considerations like the baby’s orientation and placental positioning. The program, a collaboration between the University’s IT Services Innovation Team and School of Health Sciences, aims For further information please visit: https://youtu.be/PkmW9CB1b3c to bridge the gap between the classroom and clinic to ensure https://twitter.com/i/status/969329332865810432 students are confident and capable when administering delicate anaesthetic needles. MAKING MEDICAL TREATMENT MORE EFFECTIVE, Students can access a range of real-life scenarios, including SAFER AND AFFORDABLE procedures requiring palatal injections to the roof of the Our Bachelor of Medical Engineering students are working mouth and interdental injections between the teeth. A target to break new ground every day by combining their love point gives students the ideal mark to place the needle while of health and medicine with cutting-edge science and a virtual gauge displays the milliliters being administered technology. once the user engages the needle. The broad range of majors and elective pathways on offer Similar to the successful Road to Birth program launched are also attracting a significant female cohort with a 42 earlier in 2018, the patient’s skin can be scaled back to percent representation compared to 15 per cent across all expose the working nerves and capillaries in order to engineering disciplines. familiarise students with key anatomical features.
newcastle.edu.au | 39 40 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
LAUNCH OF THE NEW EDUCATION FRAMEWORK AND THE EDUCATOR NETWORK (tEN)
The University launched its NeW Education Framework to support collaborative next generation learning, education and curriculum design.
The Framework also provides students with opportunities for discovery and engagement and for the development of a skills portfolio to support their future career and civic success. The framework is learner centred, offering practical solutions and resources. The Educator Network (tEN) supports teaching, research and professional excellence through sharing good practice, promoting collaboration, innovation, autonomy and professional development. TOP 200 10 subjects ranked in the top 200 globally1
5-STAR maximum rating for overall experience and social equity2
#1 in New South Wales for Social Equity2
1 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 2 Good Universities Guide 2019
40 | The University of Newcastle 41 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
NEWCASTLE’S PIONEERING MEDICAL PROGRAM CELEBRATES MILESTONE
Four decades ago, the University’s Foundation Dean of Medicine, Professor David Maddison and his team created an innovative medical program.
This year the University’s pioneering program, the first degree in medicine to be established in a non-metropolitan Australian university, and the first to adopt a problem-based learning approach, celebrates 40 years of delivery. Respected for its game-changing focus on problem- based learning, teaching of patient-centred medicine and innovative admissions process, the medical program continues to attract a diverse group of students who are driving excellence in health care. The University of Newcastle’s community of more than 2,800 medicine graduates are scattered across the globe, improving health care delivery through their committed work in clinical practice, community outreach, research and philanthropy.
The University is also celebrating ten years of its Joint Central Coast and Hunter New England Local Health Districts, Medical Program (JMP) that supports our next generation the program enables more than 1,000 practising doctors from of doctors to establish meaningful and productive networks a variety of backgrounds, to support students with hands-on, with clinicians in rural, regional and urban locations. practical learning. As Australia’s only joint medical program, delivered through a unique partnership with the University of New England,
newcastle.edu.au | 41 42 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
FIRST DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRE ESTABLISHED
Our inaugural Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) launched to focus on the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector.
Fostering collaborative PhD projects, the Advanced METS DTC aims to deliver innovative and transformational technologies and develop skilled innovators of the future. Australian METS companies provide world-leading products and services for the mining value chain. The sector is currently experiencing some skills and technology challenges that the DTC is working to address by engaging PhD candidates with business to deliver commercially-viable solutions for industry.
I2N The University of Newcastle’s I2N – Innovation Integrated Network Muswellbrook is one of Australia’s leading Innovation Networks which has attracted over $2M in state funding along with $10M in funding for the Hunter Innovation Project.
42 | The University of Newcastle 43 REPORT OF OPERATIONS TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
FOSTERING BRIGHT MINDS AND CREATIVITY CONNECTING THE HUMANITIES WITH INDUSTRY Passionate trailblazer and sustainable business founder, An app that connects consumers with ethically made Stephanie Woollard, headlined the University’s Enterprise goods, a symposium on the humanities’ contribution to + Innovation 2018 (E+I18) event, which aimed to inspire the future of humanity and a linguistics project that will original ideas and new perspectives among staff and preserve an endangered Torres Strait language were some students. of the projects that attracted funding and support at the University’s inaugural Pitchfest. Ms Woollard’s public lecture, discussed how she used innovation and tenacity to develop the Seven Women Hosted by the Centre for 21st Century Humanities, Pitchfest organisation and empower more than 5,000 marginalised attracted over 60 industry representatives, who gathered women in Nepal to lift themselves out of poverty. to hear about opportunities to partner with six humanities researchers and entrepreneurs. A total of $28,000 was Other E+I18 events saw campuses brought to life with vibrant pledged during the event in the form of financial support, exhibitions and inventive installations, while the Newcastle partnerships and mentorships. City Precinct featured twilight markets, food, music and a moonlight movie as part of its celebrations. For more information visit youtu.be/rkySUaZmNOE E+I18 has also launched MakerSpace, an ongoing initiative that provides dedicated student space and access to GLOBAL SCOPE IN OURIMBAH resources such as 3D printers and laser cutters. Following the success of the first Global Scope pilot As part of the ongoing commitment to growing the region’s program at our Ourimbah Campus last year, the program entrepreneurial capacity, the University’s Integrated returned with a new cross-cultural dimension with teams Innovation Network (I2N) also hosted a number of sessions to drawn from international and national student cohorts. showcase its year-round resources. This year, University of Newcastle Central Coast and Study GOING STACKABLE WITH EDX TO TRANSFORM NSW supported three teams of sixteen students from nine different countries and ten different disciplines to work EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP to address the real business needs of local government This University ‘first’ saw a taster MOOC recognised as a organisations while being mentored and supported. pathway into one of our postgraduate programs. Global Scope is an award-winning program run by The School of Education’s 12 week Professional Certificate in Intersective for Study NSW that supports international Leadership and Management in Education was developed students’ work-ready skills and networks and provides a with the Centre for Teaching and Learning and Senior collaborative learning experience. Lecturer, Dr Scott Imig and Head of School, Professor John Fischetti who have over 50 years of combined global ADDRESSING REAL-WORLD ISSUES WITH JOBS OF experience. The program supports the practical application of THE FUTURE an evidence-based theoretical framework for new and current Australia’s future aerospace and renewable energy school leaders with Dr Imig’s expertise in coaching for school engineers are set to emerge from the Hunter following the transformation at its core. launch of two new degrees. PUTTING SCIENCE ON THE AGENDA The Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) will Leading University statistician, Associate Professor Peter support highly specialised professionals that meet identified Howley, was one of ten inaugural ambassadors who will industry need. help strengthen the understanding and importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics The new degrees will also support ongoing defence, energy (STEMM) at a federal level. and aerospace collaboration at the I2N Williamtown Hub and it is hoped, will support future faculty and staff at the Western Launched by Science and Technology Australia (STA), the new Sydney Aerotropolis. STEMM Ambassador program which runs for twelve months, connects experts with members of parliament to help inform evidence-based policy creation. Associate Professor Howley will work closely with the Member for Hunter and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Joel Fitzgibbon, to increase STEMM knowledge and awareness.
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connects experts with members of parliament to help inform evidence-based policy creation. Associate Professor Howley will work closely with the Member for Hunter and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Joel Fitzgibbon, to increase STEM knowledge and awareness.
MORE THAN 30,000 TEACHERS BENEFIT FROM EDUCATION FUNDING BOOST
Improving the quality of school teaching lies at the heart of a visionary education program for Australian schools.
Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) is a program that supports QTR places all participants at the same level, where they can teachers to make a positive impact on the lives of their assess the quality of teaching and provide specific feedback students. to their peers in a non-confrontational and collaborative way with application across all subject areas and year levels. Laureate Professor Jenny Gore and colleagues, in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the NSW Department At $16.4 million, the Paul Ramsay Foundation grant is the of Education are expanding the program to cater to at least largest philanthropic investment for research in the University 30,000 additional Australian teachers over the next five years. of Newcastle’s history. Originally conceived by Professor Gore and colleague, Dr The program has already attracted international interest Julie Bowe, QTR has revolutionised teacher professional from the United Kingdom and Singapore. The QTR team is development. Working in groups, teachers across all currently testing and refining its approach to upscaling so experience levels – from new graduates to school principals that teachers can participate from anywhere in the world. – are empowered to refine their practice collaboratively in a way that ensures ongoing improvement. QUALITY TEACHING ROUNDS CO-RESEARCHERS Dr Drew Miller, Dr Elena Prieto-Rodriguez, Dr Julie Bowe, Professor David Lubans, Laureate Professor Jenny Gore, Professor Max Smith and Dr Jess Harris.
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IMPROVING LIVING AND LEARNING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
A University initiative designed to break down barriers and increase opportunity for international students was joint winner of the NSW International Student Award for community engagement in the education provider category.
The Student Experience Passport, designed as part of The NSW International Student Awards celebrate outstanding the University’s Language Centre’s Student Experience international students across the state, and acknowledge program, breaks down barriers and opens opportunities for organisations that excel in supporting them. international students to engage in meaningful connections with the community. The small passport-style booklet features a range of extra- curricular activities that students can work through to familiarise themselves with a new campus and city, foster friendships and improve their English.
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46 | The University of Newcastle 47 REPORT OF OPERATIONS INNOVATION AND WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH INNOVATION AND WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH We strive for excellence across all disciplines delivering bold and creative solutions to deliver world-leading research and research-led teaching. BIOTECH START-UP SELLS FOR $502 MILLION
In what is one of the biggest biotech transactions in Australian history, Viralytics – an oncolytic virotherapy firm originating from The University of Newcastle - was acquired for $502 million by the Merck pharmaceutical company. Based on the work of Associate Professor Darren Shafren and his team, the basic premise of CAVATAK® is to cause TOP 9 cancer cells to rupture and die, while also stimulating a wider in Australia for research income 1 immune system response in the body. (HERDC), $100.8M in total On completion of the transaction, US based Merck gain full rights to Viralytics’ experimental immunotherapy compound – CAVATAK® – a form of common cold virus which infects and kill cancer cells. CAVATAK is currently undergoing multiple Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. The historical buyout is a culmination of over 20 years of development work by Associate Professor Shafren. His work has been supported since its inception by the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) with Newcastle Innovation, the OVER 90% University’s tech transfer arm, also facilitating early funding of our research is ‘at’ or 2 for Viralytics’. ‘above world standard’
< ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DARREN SHAFREN School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Immunology and Microbiology) 1 The Audited Higher Education Research Data Collection Returns 2017 2 Excellence in Research Australia 2015
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ELECTRIC PARTNERSHIP POWERS ENERGY IMPRESSIVE WINS IN MAJOR GRANT ROUNDS INNOVATION Our researchers have performed strongly, securing $21.6 A historic commercial partnership is forged, for printed million in NHMRC funding and $11.3 million from ARC. solar cells that are at the top of the technology readiness This represents an eight per cent increase in overall tree performance across NHMRC funding rounds and in the case of the ARC Discovery Project scheme, more than With Australia’s energy crisis dominating news headlines, a doubling our number of successful applications from 2016. powerful new industry-research collaboration has signalled the emergence of a new renewable energy market – organic Funding success to address chronic disease printed solar. This increase in funding translated into more than $5.8 Created by Physicist, Professor Paul Dastoor, organic printed million in funding from the NHMRC, in addition to $1.4 solar cells are electronic inks printed onto sub-millimetre thin million previously earmarked for male and female health plastic sheets using conventional printers. CHEP, a Brambles strategies. Key funding included almost $2.5 million for a company, has become the first commercial partner to help new Centre for Research Excellence (CRE), the University’s explore the potential of the technology. fourth CRE in as many years, to help community services deliver chronic disease prevention programs. The NHMRC In what is a fine example of private enterprise and Centre for Research Excellence in Implementation for community leading the way, the partnership represents the Community Chronic Disease Prevention is being led by the first commercial uptake of printed solar in Australia and University’s Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, a leading possibly the world. The commercial-scale installation on behavioural scientist with the Hunter Medical Research CHEP’s Beresfield pallet repair facility is the final step before Institute (HMRI) and Hunter New England Health (HNELHD). the technology becomes widely available. The commercial installation comes just one year after the Support for Indigenous Australians living with dementia team’s Australian first, lab-scale demonstration of printed Laureate Professor Robert Sanson-Fisher also received solar. During the lab scale phase, the system’s aesthetics, more than $3 million in funding from the National Health installation method and cell efficiency was improved, with the and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to improve the team hoping that cell output can be doubled again during outcomes of Indigenous Australians living with dementia. this commercial phase. Lead Chief Investigator Laureate Professor Sanson-Fisher, an affiliate of the Hunter Medical Research Institute, For further information please see our video at: youtu.be/mvCEf_Au65k is examining the effectiveness and cost efficiency of a community-based approach to increase the timely VIRTUAL BIOBANK SUPPORTS CANCER RESEARCH diagnosis of dementia, and the delivery of best practice care. Working with communities in Queensland, New South Academics from the University and from the Hunter Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Medical Research Institute (HMRI) have developed the Territory, a randomised trial will help determine the viability world’s first virtual platform to host 3D copies of human of a new approach to providing care, which, if effective, cancer tissues, revolutionising the way researchers access could be rolled out in communities across Australia. critical information needed to advance cancer treatment. Chief investigators Dr Jamie Flynn, Dr Antony Martin and FUNDING TO ADVANCE ACUTE STROKE THERAPIES Dr William Palmer developed The Virtual Biobank as an Conjoint Professor Chris Levi from the University of open resource to accelerate and enhance medical research Newcastle will be able to continue vital research into activities. stroke treatment therapies after receiving $577,188 in Each digital cancer sample in The Virtual Biobank is made up funding from the inaugural Medical Research Future Fund of high-resolution microscopy images in both 2D and 3D, plus (MRFF). important clinical and molecular information that provides The MRFF is a new funding scheme designed to support the foundation for virtual research into cancer. Australia’s leading researchers in the health and medical Tiny samples from tumor biopsies stored at the Hunter sector. Cancer Biobank* have been converted into virtual copies, Through his partnership with the Hunter Medical Research allowing anyone from around the world to carry out research Institute (HMRI), Professor Levi is renowned for his global trial from their computers or request access to the physical investigations into improving stroke treatment options for sample they need. In this way the physical sample remains patients using the clot-dissolving drug, Tenecteplase (TNK). intact, but a 3D, digital copy with clinical and experimental information is kept online for future use which is particularly important in the case of rare cancers, which are hard to study because of limited sample numbers.
* The Hunter Cancer Biobank was first established in 2012 as a joint initiative of Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Pathology North (Hunter New England) and Hunter New England Local Health District. Collaborating clinicians from Calvary Mater Newcastle and Hunter New England Local Health District provide access to patients willing to donate specimens to the biobank. 48 | The University of Newcastle 49 REPORT OF OPERATIONS INNOVATIONDRIVING AND WORLD-LEADING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH IMPACT
TSUNAMI RESEARCH CAUSES MEDIA STORM
Whirlpools at the Spit, inundation of Manly Corso and major disruptions are possible impacts revealed in a first-of-its-kind study into the tsunami threat to Sydney Harbour.
The study findings were picked up by almost every major results showed the potential for significant changes in the news outlet in Australia as well as by National and Australian water, from powerful currents to the formation of dangerous Geographic. The story resulted in more than 270 media clips whirlpools, highlighting the need for increased community with a total reach of almost 170 million people with the video awareness. The United Nations International Strategy for explainer viewed more than 17,000 times on Facebook. Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) also shared the story and invited Kaya to present the research at a number of upcoming Published in Scientific Reports and supported by the NSW conferences. Office of Emergency Management, coastal researchers, PhD candidate Kaya Wilson and supervisor Dr Hannah Power For further information please see: t.co/Tlq0niyAjj modelled the effects of tsunami inundation in Sydney. The
DR HANNAH POWER, PROJECT LEAD AND MR KAYA WILSON, LEAD AUTHOR
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PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE AMONG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Increased support to prevent chronic disease in people with mental illness will be the focus of a $597,507 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) investment for Australian researchers.
Worldwide, the life expectancy of people living with mental Professor Jenny Bowman is a health psychologist and illness is 12 to 30 years less than those without mental researcher with our Priority Research Centre for Health illness, an inequity largely attributable to a greater burden Behaviour. She is also a member of the Hunter Medical from chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, Research Institute’s Public Health research program. cancers and diabetes. However, many of these diseases can The team is comprised of Professor Jenny Bowman, Professor be prevented by addressing harmful lifestyle behaviours John Wiggers, Associate Professor Luke Wolfenden, Dr Kate including smoking, inadequate physical activity, harmful Bartlem, Dr Tara Clinton-McHarg, Associate Professor Andrew alcohol consumption and poor nutrition. Searles and Professor Andrew Wilson. Funded by the MRFF through The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Professor Jenny Bowman will lead a collaborative team of researchers in exploring the role community managed organisations (CMO) can play in reducing the risk of chronic disease in people with mental illness. PROFESSOR JENNY BOWMAN School of Psychology (Psychology)
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MAGNETS PROVE REPELLENT TO SHARKS AND RAYS GRANT TO CURB DEAFNESS AND DISADVANTAGE A new study has revealed simple magnets may be the A $69,000 RP Medical Fund philanthropic grant will solution to reducing the number of sharks and rays accelerate a new project to offer early intervention in ear (elasmobranchs) caught as bycatch from commercial health in Aboriginal communities throughout the Hunter fishing activities. New England region. With populations of species around the world in decline Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon and Hunter Medical because of commercial fishing, the experimental study found Research Institute (HMRI) researcher Dr Kelvin Kong, will lead that incorporating magnets into fish traps reduced incidences the research project trialling a new method of early diagnosis of bycatch by more than 30 per cent and increased the catch of ear infections in rural and remote communities through of targeted fish species by the same amount. University the Aboriginal Medical Service. of Newcastle lead researcher, Dr Vincent Raoult, believes The funding will allow the team to purchase innovative the results could have considerable implications for the technology for ENT specialists to remotely assess patients conservation of sharks and rays. quickly and efficiently. Delayed care can have a serious For further information please see: https://www.nationalgeographic. impact on children’s ear health, quality of life and their com/animals/2018/08/sharks-repel-magnets-fishing-animals/ culture and identity. A Worimi man, and Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon, Dr INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE LINK SPARKS GLOBAL Kong is passionate about reducing the disparity that exists INTEREST between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids and our Research showing that all Australian Indigenous non-Indigenous population. languages descend from one common ancestor has BRAIN FERTILISER NURTURES NEW HOPE FOR reached more than 150 million people. STROKE SURVIVORS The research is a result of collaboration between the University’s Chief Investigator, Centre for 21st Century A hormone already at our fingertips could provide a Humanities member and historical linguist, Associate simple answer for a first-of-its-kind treatment to promote Professor Mark Harvey, and Western Sydney University Chief ‘brain fertilisers’ and significantly improve quality of life Investigator, Associate Professor Robert Mailhammer. Their for stroke survivors, potentially even months or years findings were released in March in the historical linguistics after experiencing a stroke. journal, Diachronica. In Australia, someone suffers a stroke every tenminutes, For the first time research proves that all Australian with memory loss and learning difficulties impacting on languages derive from one language, Proto-Australian. up to 80 per cent of survivors. However, new research has demonstrated an encouraging link between the The research, which is a culmination of three years’ work, administration of growth hormone and an improvement in created a wave of national and global interest with more than cognition after experiencing stroke. 120 media pick-ups around the world. A team of researchers from the University and from the TWO NEW PATHWAYS EXPAND THE HORIZON FOR Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) worked in CANCER RESEARCH collaboration with leading endocrinologist Professor Jörgen Isgaard from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, to make Following the discovery of two new pathways that could the discovery with results published in the prestigious journal play a role in cancer treatments, breakthrough research is Stroke. offering the potential to dramatically reshape the scope of cancer research. The research suggests that growth hormone could play a critical role in brain repair after injury and that growth Until now, global cancer research has focused on two per hormone treatment after stroke significantly improved cent of the human genome that make proteins. However, learning and memory performance. research at the University has established exciting possibilities with genes that were previously thought to be ‘non-functioning’ in cancer cells. The discovery was made by investigating a special class of genes known as noncoding RNA’s (ncRNA) found in the human genome (DNA). Led by Professor Xu Dong Zhang*, Dr Lei Jin* and Dr Rick Thorne*, identification of the two unique pathways could lead to the development of new, more targeted cancer therapies.
* Professor Zhang, Dr Jin and Dr Thorne are members of the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) group, a collaborative partnership between the Hunter Medical Research Institute, the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
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$1.96 MILLION TO PERSONALISE CANCER HUMBLE SALT FIGHTS MASS FROG EXTINCTION TREATMENT AND CHANGE PATIENT LIVES It has been touted as a natural health cure for centuries, University of Newcastle’s Professor Jennifer Martin now a new study reveals that salt may halt the devastating received $1.96 million in Cancer Council NSW research chytrid disease (chytridiomycosis) in frogs. funding to develop a personalised chemotherapy dosing According to lead researcher Dr Simon Clulow, this highly system for cancer patients to improve quality of life, infectious disease has proliferated, sending more than one reduce side effects and increase chance of survival. third of the world’s frog species into decline and driving more Leading clinical pharmacologist Professor Martin and her than 100 species to extinction across Australia, the Americas, team received a Cancer Council ‘Pathways to a Cancer-Free Africa and Europe. This research offers real hope for frog Future’ grant at the NSW’s annual research awards. survival worldwide, as Chytrid is thought to be one of the main drivers of current frog extinctions. FUNDING TO AID EARLY INTERVENTIONS FOR CANCER AND STROKE LONGITUDINAL STUDY APPLAUDS CAREGIVING GRANDMOTHERS Two exceptional Early to Mid-Career Researchers have secured more than $1.16 million to explore A University of Newcastle and University of Queensland early intervention methods for two significant health study found that 60 per cent of women in their mid-sixties challenges. and 12 per cent of women in their late eighties provided regular, unpaid childcare for their grandchildren. The fellowships will facilitate the exploration of early prevention against heart disease in cancer survivors, and Study Director Professor Julie Byles said that the work done early detection of neurological deterioration in ischaemic by these women goes largely unrecognised. The report from stroke. the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health also revealed that more than half of the women providing unpaid, The recipients and projects are: daily care for their grandchildren were employed, with 23 $582,391 for Associate Professor Doan Ngo to explore per cent working full-time jobs. However roughly one in four the implementation of strategies for early detection and women in their sixties who provided care for a grandchild prevention of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer as well as for an ill, frail or disabled adult, were in danger of patients. being depressed and over-stressed.
$577,670 for Dr Adjanie Patabendige to implement Steps MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BOOST FOR CRUCIAL Towards Understanding and Preventing Early Neurological RESEARCH Deterioration in Ischaemic Stroke (STUPENDIS). Twenty-one research projects across science, engineering, ARC LINKAGE PROJECT SUCCESS FOR ENGINEERING health and the humanities will share in $8.75 million from AUTHORITY the Australian Research Council (ARC). Emeritus Laureate Professor Graham Goodwin received Awarded to research that demonstrates benefit and impact to $240,000 in funding from the Australian Research Council the Australian community, successful projects included: (ARC) Linkage Project scheme to improve the operation of • $472,000 to Associate Professor Mark Baker to understand steam boilers in Australia’s sugar industry. the genetic causes that underpin bull and cattle infertility Working with Wilmar Sugar Pty Ltd in Northern Queensland, and investigate better methods to predict the fertility status Professor Goodwin is developing new control techniques of bulls. to improve the safe operation of boilers, to improve sugar • $420,000 to Dr Lawrence Ong to future-proof secure production and the electricity cogeneration capabilities of communication systems against large-scale quantum the sugar industry. computers, which threaten current encryption approaches. The project aims to ensure that data transmitted over communication networks can never be revealed to hackers, even in public WiFi. • $496,166 to Dr Dane Lamb, to directly improve our ability to assess risks associated with environmental contamination.
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COMBING THE SEAS FOR CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer Chris and a team of PhD students are also working on the death in Western societies with low survival rates that have breakthrough discovery of a protein associated with the remained stagnant since the 1970s. aggressive spread of pancreatic cancers to try to pinpoint more effective treatment options. Associate Professor Chris Scarlett and his team are searching the ocean floor for sea sponges to uncover biological compounds that could offer hope for pancreatic cancer sufferers. Early cancer therapies came from a certain type of sea sponge and with thousands of species still available, it is hoped that a new therapeutic treatment can be derived from the sponge samples that are being taken from trawler nets around the world.
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54 | The University of Newcastle 55 REPORT OF OPERATIONS ENGAGING GLOBALLY ENGAGING GLOBALLY We are increasing our global reach and reputation and broadening student and staff opportunities with strategic partnerships that support our ongoing drive for excellence. NEW COLOMBO PLAN STRENGTHENS GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
The Australian Government has awarded the University • Josiebel Cardona, Bachelor of Civil Engineering, will of Newcastle $1,267,750 million in funding under the 2019 undertake studies at Hong Kong Polytechnic, Hong Kong, New Colombo Plan Mobility Program. and plans to take internship with an organisation that develops sustainable solutions for urban living. Funding is supporting 334 students to undertake 23 mobility projects in 15 countries across the Indo-Pacific region, • Kelsey Gray, Bachelor of Laws/Science, will undertake with the University leading five cross-institutional projects studies at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), addressing global environment, health and business topics. Singapore, and plans to intern with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission. CELEBRATING FOUR NEW COLOMBO PLAN • Jack Steed, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS will undertake studies at the Chinese University of Hong Our students joined an elite group of over 120 students Kong (CUHK), Shenzhen, China, and will look to intern with a from across the nation who will enrich their studies through Chinese sporting organisation. semester-based study and internship/mentorship program opportunities during 2019. The recipients are: • Odette Brown who is completing a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice, and will undertake studies at Waseda School, University of International Studies, Japan.
< NEW COLOUMBO PLAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Odette Brown is presented with her scholarship from Ms Frances Adamson, Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT AWARDED AUSTRALIAN FUNDING SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CHALLENGES THAILAND ALUMNI AWARD ACROSS THE PACIFIC Conjoint Professor David Durrheim received $1.48 million Renowned public health expert and alumnus, Dr Thira in funding under the Australian Government’s Health Woratanarat received the Australian Thailand Alumni Security Initiative for the Indo-Pacific, designed to Community Engagement Award. strengthen health security throughout Southeast Asia and An Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive and the Pacific. Social Medicine, at Chulalongkorn University, Dr Woratanarat Professor Durrheim is Director of Health Protection for Hunter plays a leading role in preventive medicine and health New England Local Health District and a leading researcher promotion to improve population health. He holds specialist with the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical research interests in the fields of HIV/AIDS, health systems Research Institute (HMRI). Under this project, he and his team and policy, clinical trials and health equity. will engage a skilled team of health practitioners to lead SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL infectious disease detection, response and priority research KENYAN activities in Papua New Guinea (PNG). A mobile app to enable farmers in rural Kenya to advertise HUNTER PRESIDENT FOR OCEANIA CHAPTER and sell any daily surplus crops has won the 2018 Nairobi The Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Young Entrepreneur Challenge, hosted by the Newcastle has recently established an Oceania chapter (SRNT-O) – Business School. and the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Professor Aamir Pirani from the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi won first Billie Bonevski is its inaugural founding President. place for his business plan innovation, collecting a $25,000 The SRNT has more than 1000 members in over 40 countries University of Newcastle study scholarship. Aamir’s ‘Soko around the globe and is the only professional association phone’ app business plan enables low income customers dedicated to the support of researchers, academics, to access cheaper farm produce by engaging directly with treatment professionals and people working in the field suppliers and features transaction capability through of nicotine and tobacco research. Researchers in Australia, existing cellular money transfer apps. Aamir was one of four New Zealand and the Oceania region are punching above finalists selected to present their plans at the Australian High their weight in this field of research – from research into Commission. In addition to scholarships, the four finalists the implementation of plain packaging and graphic health competed for a prize pool of 250,000 Kenyan shillings warnings on cigarette packages to New Zealand’s world-first (approximately AU$3300) to share with their schools in Kenya. smoke-free goal. The Nairobi Young Entrepreneur Challenge is an initiative of Dr Michael Seamer of the Newcastle Business School INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH MOU and conducted in partnership with the University’s agent in The University and Calvary Mater Newcastle welcomed Nairobi – Koala IAC. The competition is based on the NSW nine delegates from the prestigious Princess Chulabhorn Year 11 Business Plan Challenge developed by Dr Seamer, Royal Academy, Thailand, in celebration of a medical which is now in its fifteenth year. physics research Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement will foster academic collaboration and joint research in the field of medical physics, and will support student exchange between the facilities.
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INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP SET TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE
A new partnership between the University of Newcastle, the Kenyan Government and the Australian Government will facilitate a valuable education initiative under the Australia Awards Fellowships.
A collaboration between academics and government representatives, the fellowship is aimed at strengthening public service performance and building governance capacity in Kenya. Business school lecturers, Dr Patricia Johnson and Professor Jim Jose are leading the fellowship, which will involve a fortnight of workshops with senior executive officers of the Kenyan Public Service Commission.
RESEARCHERS Professor Jim Jose, Ambassador and Chairperson of the Kenyan Public Service Commission, Mr Peter Nkuraiya, Dr Patricia Johnson and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenyan Public Service Commission, Alice Otwala.
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ALUMNUS JOINS THE ACADEMY
Blending art with science, Yasser Hamed, a mechanical engineering alumnus has forged a successful career as a senior creative at Walt Disney Animation Studio in Los Angeles.
University of Newcastle alumnus, Yasser Hamed, has risen to the top of his field in film animation, joining the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science is a professional honorary organisation aimed at advancing the arts and science of motion pictures. Known for its annual awards, The Oscars, academy membership is drawn exclusively from qualified filmmakers from around the world. Blending art with science, Yasser has forged a successful career as a senior creative at Walt Disney Animation Studio in Los Angeles. His high profile projects include Academy Award Best Animated Feature Film Big Hero 6 and Academy- nominated films Wreck it Ralph and Moana.
MR YASSER HAMED Mechanical engineering alumnus, and Crowds Animation Supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios
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HEALTH-CARE FIRST IN CHINA UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS RECEIVE PhD graduate Jiemin Zhu has developed a first-of-its-kind NEW HUNTER WATER SCHOLARSHIPS mobile application to provide women with breast cancer Three students receive Hunter Water scholarships to free access to support services across China. support their educational goals. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Chinese Jack Roberts, a first year Bachelor of Commerce student, women, but an increase in diagnosis and shortage of received the Hunter Water Indigenous Scholarship of $22,500 oncology specialists pose challenges for women to access over three years. Jack said the scholarship would enable adequate support from health care professionals. Ms Zhu’s him to focus on his studies and his end goal of excelling in e-Support program has four components – a learning forum, business. a discussion forum, an ask-the-expert forum and a personal University of Newcastle Business student, Tahleigha Compton, story forum. was awarded the Hunter Water Indigenous Community The learning forum provides knowledge and symptom Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship offers a benefit of management strategies, while the discussion forum is an $7,500 each year for up to three years to a student who is online platform for women to chat with one another. Women committed to making a difference in their community. can ask questions and receive advice directly from experts Tahleigha said the scholarship has helped her and allowed within 24 hours through the ask-the-expert portal and hear her to purchase her own laptop for the first time so she can from other breast cancer survivors via the personal story work while on the move. feature. Hunter Water also offers an annual Undergraduate Disability After completing a Bachelor of Nursing in China and a Master Scholarship, which was awarded to combined Social Science of Nursing in Canada, Ms Zhu was drawn to the University and Law student, Joseph Popov. of Newcastle because of her PhD supervisor, Professor Sally Chan, whom Ms Zhu admires for her quality research and STUDENT EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS WITH NIHON passion for nursing. UNIVERSITY, JAPAN DEEPENING TIES WITH ISLAND NATIONS Two new Student Mobility Agreements have been The University has partnered with the Secretariat of the established with Nihon University that sees it become the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to first foreign University to establish a bricks and mortar advance critical environmental research in the Pacific. presence in Newcastle. The initiative has been designed to support stronger engagement, language teaching and The partnership aims to deliver co-operative solutions cultural studies, student mobility, research collaboration, through in-country capacity building and knowledge sharing. and alumni and philanthropy efforts. A Pacific island research ‘node’ will be located at SPREP’s headquarters in Apia, Samoa with activity coordinated Through the new student exchange program, UON students through our Global Impact Cluster for Energy, Resources, will have the opportunity to study for one semester in Food and Water. The node will support strategic research and Japan, while Nihon University students will have the same training to promote skill development and innovation in the opportunity. In addition, Japanese students will also visit region. us during study tours for short term English language improvement programs.
newcastle.edu.au | 59 60 REPORT OF OPERATIONS ENGAGING GLOBALLY FIRST COHORT OF MA & MORLEY SCHOLARS VISIT CHINA
Our next generation of globally-aware and socially conscious Australian leaders embarked on their journey as Ma & Morley Scholars at the University.
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When the paths of Chinese entrepreneur Mr Jack Ma and next generation of globally aware and socially conscious respected Novocastrian, the late Mr Ken Morley, crossed Australian leaders by providing a comprehensive personal almost four decades ago, the encounter led to a lifelong engagement and enrichment experience to establish key friendship and shaped the teenage Jack Ma’s life journey. networks and friendships and develop practical global leadership qualities. A group of twenty-seven of our students, the historic first cohort of Ma & Morley Scholars, visited China for an The life-changing Ma & Morley Scholarship Program has immersion experience, designed to replicate the eye- been made possible thanks to a very generous AUD$26 opening encounter Jack Ma had when he visited Newcastle million philanthropic commitment from Alibaba founder for the first time. and executive chairman, Mr Jack Ma, through the Jack Ma Foundation. This is the first contribution in Australia by the The program is unique to the Australian Higher Education Foundation. sector, as the scholarship goes beyond financial support. The Program aims to inspire, cultivate and educate the For further information please see our video: youtu.be/RsNjf2S8iJo
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OUTSTANDING LEADERS RECOGNISED AT OUR ALUMNI AWARDS
Twenty-seven outstanding leaders across the fields of science, engineering, business, medicine and creative industries had their career achievements recognised at the 2018 University of Newcastle Alumni Awards.
ALUMNI MEDAL FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE Dr Gary Quinlan AO Honorary Degree – Doctor of Letters 2007 Bachelor of Arts 1973 Dr Gary Quinlan AO is Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS 2018 and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Deputy Secretary, Standing: Dr Bernard Curran AM, and Australia’s Senior Official to ASEAN and to the East Asia Dr Gary Quinlan AO, Mr Bernard Collins, Summit. Mr Kyle Loades, Mr Peter McArdle, As a skilled and proven diplomat, Dr Quinlan was selected Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker. and appointed as the Australian Representative on the United Seated: Dr Jessica Allen, Dr John Doyle AM. Nations Security Council for the 2013-2014 term, representing Not shown: Professor Thomas Borody, Australia on matters of international peace and security. Professor Richard Wortley AM.
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NEWTON-JOHN AWARD REGIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD Dr John Doyle AM Mr Bernard (Barney) Collins Honorary Degree – Doctor of Letters 2001 Bachelor of Architecture 1981 Bachelor of Arts 1982 Bachelor of Design (Architecture) 1978 John Doyle is an accomplished actor and writer for stage Barney Collins is an award-winning architect who has shaped and screen, most known for his alter ego Rampaging Roy the Newcastle landscape. His landmark projects include Slaven, one half of the duo Roy and HG. Starting with a radio The University of Newcastle’s NeW Space and the Newcastle show in the 1980s, This Sporting Life, the duo have gone on Memorial Walk. to produce shows including This Voting Life; The Cream; and The Dream, a late-night Olympic commentary show resulting EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE in their inclusion by the Australian Olympic Committee in the Dr Bernard Curran, AM closing ceremony. Doctor of Philosophy 1974 Bachelor of Arts 1968 INDIGENOUS ALUMNI AWARD Dr Bernard (Bernie) Curran has played a central role in The Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker University of Newcastle’s community for more than 40 years. Bachelor of Medicine 2002 In his time, he has been a student, rugby player, committed Kristopher (Kris) Rallah-Baker, a Yuggera/Biri-Gubba-Juru and dedicated sports leader, academic and teacher, man, is the first Australian Indigenous Ophthalmologist. He community leader, mentor, fundraiser, active alumni leader, works closely with Indigenous communities by providing public speaker, strategist, donor, researcher and above all, a quality eye health care that they may not otherwise receive. compassionate friend to many.
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD BERYL NASHAR YOUNG RESEARCHER AWARD Professor Richard Wortley AM Dr Jessica Allen Bachelor of Arts 1978 Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry) 2011 Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) 2008 Over his career of more than 40 years, Professor Richard Wortley has developed an international reputation in the Dr Jessica Allen is a young researcher who is making headway study and prevention of crime. The implementation of his in the critical field of clean energy. Her substantial research is research has led to international changes in situational already seeing recognition in the fields of low emission coal, crime prevention, including the creation of the Working with renewable energy systems for biomass and solar thermals, Children Check. and energy storage.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD Mr Kyle Loades (joint recipient) Mr Peter McArdle Master of Business Administration 2015 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 2009 Graduate Certificate in Business Administration 2000 Mr Peter McArdle’s work with the Red Cross has been Kyle Loades is currently a non-executive director of Credit invaluable to many developing communities affected by Union Australia, Chair of Drive Yello, Chair of Hunter Medical natural disaster or conflict. The technical and social problems Research Institute and a Conjoint Professor in the Faculty of Peter has had to overcome is exemplified by his most highly Business and Law at The University of Newcastle. regarded contribution managing the Red Cross Ebola treatment centre and burial team in Sierra Leone in 2015. Professor Thomas Borody (joint recipient) Doctor of Philosophy (Immunology and Microbiology) 2005 Professor Thomas Borody is internationally recognised for his ground-breaking research and innovation in digestive health that has led to hundreds of thousands of treatments, improving the quality of life for countless Australians. In the 1980s, he was one of the first in Australia to understand the role of microbes and bacteria in a person’s overall health.
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64 | The University of Newcastle 65 REPORT OF OPERATIONS CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES We support students and staff to contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the communities we serve. Working with stakeholders, we deliver value and positive results through innovative teaching, research and community outreach. INNOVATIVE ARTS HEALTH PROGRAM DELIVERS TANGIBLE RESULTS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
The Gomeroi gaaynggal (‘Babies from Gomeroi lands’) and community ArtsHealth programs have been improving health outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal women and their children in Tamworth and Walgett since 2007. The Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre in Tamworth provides a safe and culturally appropriate environment for women of all ages to connect with their culture and community and better understand artistic and cultural practices and health and education. 1455 Australian Redcross - RED25 Transformative research at the centre includes longitudinal blood donations by Univer- research on how Aboriginal babies grow and develop during pregnancy and for the first ten years of life. Other PhD sity staff. No. 1 in the Hunter studies focus on chronic disease development, nutrition, Valley for blood donations¹ health technology approaches, obesity and mental health to improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities locally and globally. The Centre’s ArtsHealth program, which includes a successful schools-outreach component, draws together artists and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community to inspire, share stories and produce artwork that is globally acclaimed and that financially benefits many of the communities’ talented artists.
< GOMEROI GAAYNGGAL ARTSHEALTH PROGRAM 1 Australian Red Cross Blood Service
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CHILDREN EXPERIENCE A TASTE OF UNIVERSITY LIFE
Local school students experienced a taste of university life and explored subjects including nursing, engineering, cartoon drawing and psychology at the Children’s University on Campus experiential learning day.
Attendees took part in a number of hands-on workshops that showcased the diversity of education opportunities available outside the constraints of the school-based curriculum. Hosted as part of the Children’s University Newcastle initiative, the event is one of a series of opportunities aimed at encouraging children between the ages of seven and 14 to be curious learners. The University is one of only a handful of universities offering this program in Australia, and the only one in New South Wales. CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY ON CAMPUS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING DAY
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CHILDHOOD ASTHMA RATES REDUCED THROUGH FROM TAREE TO TASSIE, TELEHEALTH NUTRITION TAILORED INTERVENTION INTERVENTION GOES NATIONAL Researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute Hunter nutrition researchers are casting a nation-wide net and the University, in collaboration with the University with a tele-dietary intervention to help parents who are of Queensland and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, concerned about their child’s eating habits or weight. have confirmed that when a woman’s asthma medication Called Nutrition Connect, and supported by nib foundation is optimally controlled during pregnancy, the rate of and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), the project has asthma in her offspring is nearly halved. previously assisted rural families in the New England region The research which has been peer reviewed and published by bringing an accredited ‘virtual’ dietitian into their homes. in a leading international journal, demonstrates the benefits According to researchers, Professor Clare Collins and of using inhaled corticosteroids, precisely tailored to Associate Professor Tracy Burrows, parents complete measurements of lung inflammation during pregnancy. the nationally recognised Australian Eating Survey then Professor Joerg Mattes, Director of the university’s Priority receive feedback and support, based on individual dietary Research Centre Grow Up Well, says that the research and assessment results, via their home-based iPad or computer. intervention is exciting because one of the holy grails of asthma research is to demonstrate that childhood asthma INTERGENERATIONAL PLACEMENT: FROM PEN TO can be prevented. PAL
FLUTRACKING SURVEILLANCE SPREADS ACROSS THE Dr Tamara Bakemore, Field Education Coordinator and acting Head of Discipline for Social Work has worked TASMAN with in home nursing care provider, Hunter Nursing and For the first time, FluTracking, the highly successful online Valentine Public School to develop a novel placement health surveillance system that helps detect epidemics of opportunity. influenza throughout Australia, has expanded its reach to Two third year social work students, Jessica Phelps and New Zealand. Katyana Shultz Goodger supported the implementation of a What started in 2006 with just 400 participants, FluTracking highly successful intergenerational pen pal program between has now grown to become the largest crowd-sourcing year 6 students from Valentine Public School and clients from influenza surveillance system in the world with more than Hunter Nursing. 37,000 Australians currently reporting their flu symptoms Twenty-eight student and client pairs participated in the every Monday morning. program where they exchanged letters over eight weeks A joint initiative of the University of Newcastle, Hunter New on topics including love and security, health, participating, England Population Health and the Hunter Medical Research identity and culture, material basics, and learning. Institute (HMRI), FluTracking aims to develop a system that can rapidly determine the onset of influenza in Australia; OPEN DAYS ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS the severity of circulating influenza strains; and if influenza Revitalised Open Days broke attendance records this strains have changed. Founder and co-ordinator, Dr Craig year, as prospective students, families and community Dalton, said the project’s success as an integral part of members took part in a range of immersive and Australian influenza surveillance had led to its expansion in interactive activities across our campuses in Callaghan, New Zealand. NeW Space, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie. An army of staff and students welcomed visitors to the university and engaged with prospective new students. In excess of 6,500 attendees visited our campuses while our first ever ‘virtual’ campus tour on social media, reached a domestic and international audience of close to one million.
See our virtual campus tour at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=233786100669407
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KIDS HAVE HEALTHIER HEARTS THANKS TO NEW SUPPORTING ACCESS FOR STUDENTS FROM OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM HOME CARE Cardiovascular disease risk in kids due to poor aerobic The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies awarded fitness has been cut by more than half in primary schools our Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education through a new online physical activity training program (CEEHE) with the 2018 ACWA Innovation Award for the Live for teachers. Learn Grow Program. Developed by the University’s Priority Research Centre for Live Learn Grow supports students with an Out of Home Physical Activity and Nutrition and the Australian Catholic Care (OOHC) background to access and actively participate University’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, in higher education. It is the only program of its kind in the pilot program delivered the dramatic heart health and Australia and provides practical support and guidance for aerobic fitness improvements in a published study of 460 students on all aspects of university life. The program was children. developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders to respond to some of the known barriers that prevent care- Only one in five Australian children meet the recommended leavers from accessing higher education. national daily physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity every day (source: www. EHEALTH PROGRAM TO REDUCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S health.gov.au). Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for DISEASE RISK chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The iPLAY program was rolled out to more than 20,000 NSW University researchers have collaborated on a world-first state primary school students in 83 schools throughout the eHealth initiative aiming to target young people’s ‘big six’ state. behaviours to help reduce their chronic disease risk.
CHAMPIONING FOOD INDUSTRY ON THE CENTRAL Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin and Professor David Lubans are part of the online Health4Life Initiative, launched in COAST collaboration with UNSW Sydney. Regional Development Australia Central Coast in The project aims to help thousands of young Australian partnership with Central Coast Industry Connect and high school children reduce their chance of developing the University, have launched the Central Coast Food chronic diseases, including heart disease and mental Innovation Region Initiative. health disorders, by preventing and modifying lifestyle risk The initiative aims to support the local food industry, create behaviours that commonly emerge in adolescence. new jobs and build sustainable business competitiveness The study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that by connecting the University research strengths with more than three quarters of a sample of 853 18-year-olds had government and industry. insufficient intake of vegetables (80 per cent) and more than Executive Director of the University’s Global Impact Cluster for half reported binge drinking at least monthly (52 per cent). Energy, Resources, Food & Water and Newcastle Institute for More than 40 per cent showed inadequate consumption of Energy and Resources (NIER) Professor Alan Broadfoot said fruit (42 per cent), approximately one-third reported sitting the initiative would help to translate research into tangible for longer than recommended periods (33 per cent), and outcomes in the region and beyond. approximately one quarter reported smoking (29 per cent) or failing to meet physical activity guidelines (23 per cent). The online Health4Life Initiative is a collaborative effort, in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. It is led by UNSW’s Professor Maree Teesson AC and other researchers from the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS), based at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSW Sydney in collaboration with Northwestern University USA, the University of Newcastle, Curtin University and the University of Queensland.
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$2.4 MILLION PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP TO EMPOWER GIRLS IN SPORT
The NSW Government will invest $2.4 million in a statewide rollout of the University’s award-winning lifestyle program Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE).
By helping fathers to improve their daughters’ physical In 2019 the program will be replicated in England to help activity levels, sport skills and social-emotional wellbeing, low-income families in London to get active with their DADEE is a key component of a four-year, multifaceted children, via a $A1 million grant from Sport England with strategy called ‘Her Sport Her Way.’ UK organisations Women in Sport, the Fatherhood Institute, Fulham Football Club and the English Football League Trust. DADEE was conceived by physical activity researcher Professor Philip Morgan and colleagues, with the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s support, as the first program to teach fathers to be agents of change for daughters. It originated from a Hunter Children’s Research Foundation pilot grant in 2013 and received further backing from Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS).
DADS AND DAUGHTERS EXERCISING AND EMPOWERED (DADEE)
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UPPER HUNTER REGION RECEIVES BIO-RENEWABLE BOOST
Producing biofuels and other renewable chemicals from crop and forestry waste moved a step closer following the announcement of $4.6 million in funding from the New South Wales Government to construct the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery (HPB) in Muswellbrook.
The purpose-built facility will be constructed by Apace Ethtec Senior Biotechnologist, Dr Geoff Doherty, said securing Research Limited to enable the development and funding for the HPB was the final piece of the puzzle for demonstration of biomass-based projects at pilot plant scale, the project and an essential step on the commercialisation including the Ethanol Technologies (Ethtec) Cellulosic Ethanol pathway. Pilot Plant Project. In partnership with Muswellbrook Shire Council and the University of Newcastle’s Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), Ethtec is developing an environmentally sustainable process to produce biofuels and other renewable chemicals from crop and forestry waste.
DR GEOFF DOHERTY School of Environmental and Life Sciences (Biological Sciences)
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HELPING DADS COPE WITH POSTNATAL SUPPORTING FINANCIAL LITERACY IN THE DEPRESSION COMMUNITY Fatherhood may be an emotional time for as many as one The University and Greater Bank announced a five-year in ten new dads who experience postnatal depression. partnership, to deliver community education programs and practical facilities to support informed financial Researchers are exploring how new fathers think and feel. decision-making and money management. The What About New Dads (WAND) study asks fathers how they’re faring, via a 15-minute online survey on paternal The partnership includes the establishment of the Greater wellbeing and psychological experiences. Bank Finance Lab, located at NeW Space, which is a dedicated teaching space equipped with 20 computers to facilitate The study was developed by PhD student Ms Jaime Wroe, hands-on, interactive learning across economic systems, along with Associate Professor Richard Fletcher, Dr Linda monetary markets and financial decision-making and literacy. Campbell and Dr Jennifer St George from the University and from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). The lab will support Business School students as they build their skills in financial decision-making, risk management CREATIVE FESTIVAL TAKES CBD BY STORM and economic systems. Creative industries students exhibited their final works The Greater Finance Academy, a financial literacy outreach at Festival X, a first-of-its-kind week-long festival in program, will be delivered to high schools in the Hunter, Newcastle. Central Coast and Western and Northern NSW regions while The festival included short film screenings, concerts, pop- the Greater Finance Clinic, located in our City Campus at NeW up music ensembles, TED-style talks and incorporated the Space, will provide a financial literacy outreach and support annual Newcastle International Animation Festival featuring program for the broader community. some of the world’s best bite-sized animations. RURAL MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST CREATES Festival X also included a commercial component called POSITIVE WAVES Ricochet Songs, with Triple J host and artist Kristy Lee Peters, bringing together a group of female artists, producers A podcast series designed to encourage rural communities and songwriters for a week of collaboration and creativity. to talk about mental health has been recognised for its This musical initiative was the direct result of industry impact. UPPER HUNTER REGION RECEIVES partnerships forged through our Baraya record label, which The Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health podcast series is an launched this year. The festival allowed the community and initiative of the University’s Centre for Rural and Remote BIO-RENEWABLE BOOST would-be creative students to see and understand where a Mental Health (CRRMH) and its major program the Rural creative degree might lead. Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), together with journalist and producer Kia Handley. The podcast series won the 2018 The Mental Health Service (TheMHS) Media Award in the ‘Special Journalism Award- Regional/Rural/Community’ category. The award win coincided with the launch of a second podcast series.
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72 | The University of Newcastle 73 REPORT OF OPERATIONS SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING OUR PEOPLE SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING OUR PEOPLE We continue to invest in our staff, in their experience and development, and in our facilities and infrastructure, to support connected and collaborative ways of working.
PROGRAM SUPPORTS CORPORATE WOMEN FEMALE RESEARCHERS SPONSORED THROUGH Our first cohort of women participated in an initiative ACADEMIC JOURNEY designed to redress the gender equity imbalance in senior Seven University researchers are helping to pave the management and executive positions. way for their female peers, as recipients of a Women Driven by the University’s Faculty of Business and Law and in Research (WIR) Fellowship designed to support the with partners from leading local organisations, the Women development of their academic careers. in Master of Business Administration (WiMBA) Scholarship With females representing 56 per cent of the university sector program will help to grow the female talent pipeline and workforce but holding only 35 per cent of senior academic foster positive economic growth in the Newcastle region. positions*, the University of Newcastle’s WIR Fellowships are designed to champion diversity and gender equity in the The scholarship includes financial support from the University workplace. and industry partners to cover the cost of studying the Master of Business Administration, as well as practical support and The Fellows are: Dr Karen Blackmore, Dr Rachel Buchanan, mentoring from employers to help recipients to develop their Dr BoBae Choi, Dr Narelle Eather, Dr Kcasey McLoughlin, post-MBA career pathway. Dr Melissa Tadros and Dr Rachael Unicomb.
INAUGURAL WOMEN IN STEMM CHAIR *Universities HR Benchmarking Program 2018 Professor Billie Bonevski was appointed as our first Women in STEMM Chair. In this role, Billie will provide leadership and a voice for the University’s gender equity action plan, particularly across STEMM focused initiatives.
< WIMBA PROGRAM PATRON DR EILEEN DOYLE WITH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Melissa Rowe, People and Culture Excellence Manager - Newcastle Airport Pty Ltd, Jessica Turk, Organisational Development Specialist - NIB Health Funds, Kate Dash, Accounting and Tax adviser – Prosperity Advisory Group, Fiona Hack, APAC Planning and Logistics Manager – Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, Rebecca Johnston, Planning Officer – Port of Newcastle, Kirsty Jones, Water Resilience Project Manager – Hunter Water Corporation, Carla McEntyre, Business Program Manager Service and Experience – Hunter Water Corporation, not shown.
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FIRST AMERICAN FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS
In an historic first, under a partnership agreement with the Australian- American Fulbright Commission, the University welcomed three American Fulbright Scholars to support international collaboration and strengthen global impact.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship foreign exchange program in the USA and the largest educational program in the world. Founded in 1949, the program aims to increase global collaboration and cultural understanding by internationally immersing selected researchers in their chosen field of study. FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS VISIT Fulbright Scholars, Professor Bradford Worrall from the Wollotuka Institute Director, Mrs Leah Armstrong, University of Virginia, Associate Professor Stefan Paula from Professor John Maynard, UON Resident Artist, Ms Nicole Purdue University and Professor Seth Rasmussen from North Chaffey, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Dakota State University collaborated across specialist areas Innovation, Professor Kevin Hall, Aunty Sandra Griffin including genetics, computer-assisted drug discovery and (Awabakal), Senior Scholar North Dakota State University, organic electronics. Professor Seth Rasmussen, Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen, Ms Tammy Small, Senior Scholar Purdue University, Professor Stefan Paula, Distinguished Chair, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Professor Bradford Burke Worrall.
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UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY FOR WOMEN IN STAFF RECOGNISED FOR DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS STEMM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION More than forty staff, students, industry colleagues and This year’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence members of the Newcastle community took part in our recognised more than 60 exceptional academic and International Women’s Day ‘Press for Progress’ panel professional staff in all faculties and divisions for their discussion at NeW Space. incredible achievements, diverse contributions, initiative and dedication throughout the year. The event centred on the progress of girls and women through STEMM from early learning through to senior Award recipients included: career roles in academia and industry. During an engaged discussion, panellists from a variety of sectors reflected on Overall Winner for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for their experiences at all the stages in this journey. Teaching Excellence Denise Higgins - Faculty of Health and Medicine, for A round of ‘thought starters’ from each of the panellists innovative and entrepreneurial oral health teaching designs provided the framework for an engaged discussion. Director including the re-development of simulation-based education of KU Children’s Services Mayfield, Karen Hugo, highlighted and the original creation of oral health simulators. that the way children under five engage in play based STEM learning – through her centre’s accredited Little Scientist Overall winners for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Program – signal that gender differences are not apparent in Professional Staff early childhood though subtle differences begin to emerge in Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre (Jodie Herden, Lyniece Keogh, girls as they approach the age of five. Paris Knox and Kathryn Sutherland - Faculty of Health and Moving into the school years, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Medicine), for coordinating and delivering an outstanding Education, Dr Elena Prieto, outlined how transition from research and community engagement program with the primary to high school was a critical stage on the STEMM Indigenous community in Tamworth. journey and one that indicated something was going drastically wrong for many young people – girls and boys - Overall winners for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early with many actively disliking maths classes. Career Researcher of the Year Dr Elise Kalokerinos - Faculty of Science, for her innovative DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO REMOVE BARRIERS research program on the regulation of emotion, for her TO SUCCESS outstanding funding track-record and for work which is both theoretically original as well as of direct applied relevance. Fifteen female early and mid-year career researchers Dr Jordan Smith - Faculty of Education and Arts, also received are on course to progress their academic careers with a the award for his clear commitment to research excellence, development program designed to break through gender through numerous high-impact publications, award winning barriers. conference presentations and for his highly competitive As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to gender research income relative to opportunity (notable funding equity, the Faculty of Health and Medicine’s Gender Equity includes support to develop a smartphone application and Committee hosted the 2018 Women’s Development Program innovative video resources to support teacher professional facilitated by ThinkWell, aimed at removing professional learning and the delivery of a school physical activity obstacles faced by women in the fields of health and intervention known as Resistance Training for Teens) based medicine. on his PhD work.
Women comprise more than half of all PhD graduates and Overall winner for the Vice-Chancellors’ Award for Early Career Researchers, but make up just 17 per cent of Research Supervisor of the Year senior academics in Australian universities and research Professor Anna Giacomini - Faculty of Engineering and Built institutes. The Faculty of Health and Medicine has committed Environment, who has achieved great success in establishing to improving these statistics by providing avenues for rock mechanics as a research area within Civil Engineering women in STEMM to achieve their goals alongside their male and has shared her passion for research with several Higher counterparts in the health and medical profession. Degree by Research (HDR), Masters students, and early career academics, demonstrating high training capabilities and exceptional dedication, care and respect for her students.
For a full line-up of our award recipients please visit: newcastle.edu.au/ newsroom/current-staff/2018-vice-chancellors-award-winners-announced
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76 | The University of Newcastle 77 REPORT OF OPERATIONS WORKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WORKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Our University community rightfully expects us to be environmentally and socially responsible. We are committed to continual improvement, and to achieving a sector-leading position in this space.
While our researchers make breakthroughs in fields such as renewable energy and water conservation, as an organisation with more than 37,000 students and 2,700 staff across 14 campuses and affiliated centres, we also need to take responsibility for the way we impact on our environment. In 2018, we refined our Environmental Sustainability Plan 500 2019-2025 (ESP). The ESP is a roadmap for sustainable our solar panel project operations, and sets bold targets in areas including: produces enough energy to power 500 households • Energy and carbon • Water • Waste and recycling • Biodiversity and landscaping • Sustainable design • Sustainable transport • Investments • Procurement The ESP will also ensure that environmental sustainability 4168 is woven into our core functions – from exposing our energy efficient LEDs students to sustainability principals through their degrees, installed across the to delivering research innovation projects in sustainability, Auchmuty Library to engaging our staff in our environmental initiatives. A and Student framework for governance, compliance and reporting is also Accommodation Towers addressed.
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SUSTAINABLE SOLAR ENERGY AND CARBON Renewable energy is a key priority for our staff, students and community. Solar power is a sustainable Reducing fossil fuel consumption and supporting clean solution that helps to ensure we meet this priority. energy sources is a key part of our Environmental Sustainability Plan, and we made significant headway in In 2018, we commenced planning for our largest 2018 including. ever solar panel project – a 1.8 megawatt system comprising more than 7000 panels across our Central • The development and endorsement of an Energy and Coast, Newcastle City and Callaghan campuses. Carbon Management Strategy that includes further Our planning work included asset replacement to investigation of energy self-generation opportunities such existing buildings, and detailed design for three as additional PV solar, energy efficiency opportunities and rooftop installs; doubling the system size on the IRC building strategic long-term relationships with energy Building (Ourimbah), and introducing new systems to retailers to deliver 100% renewable electricity. the Science and GP Buildings (Callaghan). Work will • Lighting upgrade of the Auchmuty Library with 1,892 light continue until the end of 2020. fittings being replaced with energy efficient LEDs and the We also installed a 312 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) installation of movement sensors in the amenities and system on the roof of the Auchmuty Library at office areas. Callaghan. This system generates enough electricity to • Lighting upgrade of the Student Accommodation Towers power around 60 average households. with 2,277 light fittings being replaced with energy efficient LEDs and the installation of movement sensors in the common areas.
278 solar panels installed on the Central Coast campus library
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WATER BAGS TO BENCHES Water efficiency is a priority for us, and we have been In 2018 we partnered with an external organisation working to reduce our water consumption. called Plastic Police to deliver a soft plastics recycling program. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and snack • In 2018, we used around 280,000 kilolitres of water, a wrappers, have very low rates of recycling and are a reduction of around 20,000 kilolitres compared with 2017. significant contributor to landfill volumes. These items • Extensive meters and monitoring allowing for pipe can also degrade into smaller plastic pieces that can leak detection and fast response, with additional water enter the food chain and cause wider environmental monitoring resulting in the repair of some significant water pollution. leaks. We have collected and recycled more than 115,000 • An ongoing commitment to natural irrigation of the pieces of soft plastic to date. We are turning these extensive native bushland campus reducing the demand for bags into benches to provide added outdoor seating potable water. across campus. Our first bench was unveiled outside • Limiting irrigation only to sporting fields and some lawn the Auchmuty Library in December 2018. areas.
115,000 plastic bags recycled in our soft plastics program
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WASTE AND RECYCLING BIODIVERSITY AND LANDSCAPING We are continually improving waste management, with a With ecologically diverse bushland campuses, we have focus on diverting waste from landfill. a unique responsibility to maintain and improve their biodiversity. In 2018 we: • In 2018, we rolled out our updated internal Office Waste Design Waste Standards to guide waste station planning, • Continued extensive bush regeneration work across our design, cost, and education. This is applicable to all internal Callaghan and Central Coast campuses. This important work spaces and includes the red (landfill), yellow (commingled aims to eradicate noxious and environmental weeds and recycling) and blue (paper/cardboard) bins, as well as improve biodiversity. additional battery, printer and toner recycling opportunities. • 2,485 native seedlings have been planted this calendar year It also includes guidance on where to recycle soft plastics, in the bushland zones. electronic waste and metal, and the location of our • The team worked across the majority of ten native bushland composting facilities. zones across Callaghan, and a further two wetlands and • As part of our head cleaning contract, we introduced 152 riparian areas as identified in the Landscape Management new internal waste bin stations across our campuses, Implementation Plan. significantly increasing the opportunities for staff and students to recycle correctly.
OVER 7% 25HA 2,485 reduction in of bushland zones native seedlings water usage, and wetland areas planted year-on-year were regenerated
80 | The University of Newcastle 81 REPORT OF OPERATIONS WORKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT In 2018, we updated our investment policy to strengthen our approach to responsible investment, including the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in our portfolios. We take a balanced approach to ESG, recognising that we must meet core investment requirements such as risk and return, whilst ensuring our investments are aligned with our commitments to sustainability and ethical conduct.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT 1ST IN We are committed to promoting sustainable travel RESPONSIBLE options, promoting long-term behaviour change in our staff and students. INVESTMENTS joint first place out of 11 local • In 2018 we unveiled our Honeysuckle City Campus peers reviewed in 2018 Development Concept Master Plan, with limited parking provisions, to encourage active travel choices and public transport especially within the Newcastle CBD. In August 2018, we approved a new strategy for responsible investing, centered around a three • Throughout 2018, an average of 1,000 passengers used the year ESG plan with four key focus areas, each with Newcastle intercampus shuttle bus daily. defined targets and metrics. In particular, we’re • Our Bike Hubs continue to operate at near capacity, with joining leading responsible investors using the students and staff able to loan a reconditioned bike for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to explore year for a refundable $50 deposit. how our investments currently contribute to solving sustainability challenges, and how we can increase that alignment. 1,000 Our four key focus areas are to: on average, the number of pas- 1. improve our ESG score sengers using the daily campus 2. reduce the carbon footprint of our portfolio shuttle bus 3. divest from fossil fuel companies that aren’t demonstrating a transition to a low carbon INVESTMENTS economy 4. increase investments aligned with the UN Responsibly investing our funds is important to us, Sustainable Development Goals. and we place importance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. We are performing better than benchmark, improving our position from fourth out of five local peers reviewed in 2017, to joint first place out of 11 local peers reviewed in 2018.
newcastle.edu.au | 81 82 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
82 | The University of Newcastle 83 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING MANAGING AND GOVERNING Our Council and management teams support collaborative planning, strategic decision-making and effective and transparent governance.
ROLE OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS COUNCIL BASIS OF AUTHORITY COMMITTEES The University of Newcastle is governed by its Council, The Council supports the long-term success of which is chaired by the Chancellor. the University. It sets strategy and oversees its Council has responsibility for the direction and oversight of implementation ensuring that all matters are discussed the University according to the University of Newcastle Act within the context of our agreed risk framework. 1989 (NSW) (the Act) and the University of Newcastle By-law It rigorously challenges strategy, performance, 2017 (NSW) (the By-law). responsibility and accountability to make decisions of the highest quality, providing leadership and direction to support corporate governance and the overall financial performance of the organisation. Council retains control of key decisions through a schedule of reserved matters, with other matters delegated to its committees, to the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Senate and to additional management teams. The University acknowledges and observes the Universities Australia and University Chancellors Council ‘Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities’ and confirms that it complies with this Code.
< COUNCIL Front L-R: Mrs Michelle McPherson, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, Chancellor Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans, Mrs Jann Gardner. 2nd row L-R: Ms Julie Phillips, Dr Roslyn Larkin. 3rd row L-R: Conjoint Professor Mr Geoff Lilliss, Deputy Chancellor Ms Dianne Allen, Mr John Bowers, Associate Professor Brendan Boyle, Dr Kylie Twyford. 4th row L-R: Mr Bhavi Ravindran, President of Academic Senate Professor Mark Jones, Mr Robert (Bob) Kennedy, Mr Doug Dean AM.
newcastle.edu.au | 83 84 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS
The Council comprises 16 members who contribute their expertise and time, with membership at 31 December 2018 as follows:
EX-OFFICIO EXTERNAL MEMBER EX-OFFICIO MEMBER
The Chancellor Vice-Chancellor and President Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, BE(UNSW), FRSN, FIEAust, FAICD BMathSc(Hons), PhD, Hon DSc(UOW), GradDip(AICD), FTSE, FIEEE, Hon FIEAust, FAICD CHAIRS University Council, Chancellor’s Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee
MINISTERIALLY APPOINTED EXTERNAL EX-OFFICIO MEMBER MEMBER1
President of Academic Senate Mr Robert (Bob) Kennedy, Professor Mark Jones, BEc(ANU), FCPA BSc(Hons), PhD(CNAA, UK), FIMechE, CEng, FIEAust, CPEng CHAIRS Controlled and Associated Entities Committee CHAIRS Academic Senate
84 | The University of Newcastle 1 External members, appointed by the Minister, are appointed for up to 4 years. 85 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
MINISTERIALLY APPOINTED EXTERNAL COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL MEMBER1 MEMBER2
Conjoint Professor Geoff Lilliss, The Deputy Chancellor BE(Hons), MBA(Merit)(Newcastle), Hon Ms Dianne Allen, FIEAust, MAICD BCom(Newcastle), FCA, GAICD, AMICDA
CHAIRS CHAIRS Strategic Development Committee Finance Committee
COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL MEMBER2 MEMBER2
Ms Jann Gardner, Mrs Michelle McPherson, BA/LLB(Sydney), MBA(Newcastle), GAICD BBus(Accounting)(UTS), CA, GAICD
CHAIRS CHAIRS People and Culture Committee Risk Committee
1 External members, appointed by the Minister, are appointed for up to 4 years. 2 External members, appointed by the Council, are appointed for up to 4 years. newcastle.edu.au | 85 86 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS
COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL MEMBER2 MEMBER2
Mr John Bowers, Mr Doug Dean AM, BCom(Hons 1), MCom(Newcastle), BCom(Newcastle), FCPA, FAIM, FAICD AM(Harvard), CFA
COUNCIL APPOINTED EXTERNAL MEMBER2 ELECTED STAFF MEMBER³
Ms Julie Phillips, Associate Professor Brendan Boyle, BPharm, DHP, MSc(Sydney), BBus(DkIT, Ireland), MBS(UCD, Ireland), MBA(Macq) PhD(Sydney)
* Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen served on Council from January 2018 - October 2018 inclusive.
2 External members, appointed by the Council, are appointed for up to 4 years. 86 | The University of Newcastle 3 Staff members are elected for up to 2 years 87 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
ELECTED STAFF MEMBER³ ELECTED STAFF MEMBER³
Dr Roslyn Larkin, Dr Kylie Twyford, BBus(Hons), PhD(Newcastle) AssocDipBus(Valuation) (SIT), BBus(UON), BEd(Hons1)(Adult Education) PhD(UTS)
ELECTED STUDENT MEMBER⁴
We wish to acknowledge and recognise the valuable contribution made by Professor Pablo Moscato, Deborah Wright and Michael Robertson who retired as Council members during 2018.
Mr Vivak Bavitheren (Bhavi) Ravindran, BMedSc(Hons), GAICD
See Council member bios for further information visit .newcastle.edu.au/current-staff/our-organisation/governance/council/council-members.
3 Staff members are elected for up to 2 years 4 Student members are elected for a term of 2 years. newcastle.edu.au | 87 88 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
COUNCIL GOVERNANCE
‘This year the Council has focused on succession planning and on supporting our strategy to ensure we have the right leadership, governance and cultural framework in place to execute that strategy.’
GOVERNANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING 10 CORE ELEMENTS OR PRINCIPLES:
Defining the roles and responsibilities of the University’s various governing bodies, including the Council and its committees, Academic Senate and its committees, and the Executive and their 1 management committees (including ensuring appropriate delegations are put in place). The Council has the following seven standing committees: • Chancellor’s Committee; • Controlled and Associated Entities Committee; • Finance Committee; • Nominations and Governance Committee; • People and Culture Committee; • Risk Committee; and, • Strategic Development Committee. Academic Senate has the following three standing committees and five faculty boards: • Program and Course Approval Committee; • Teaching and Learning Committee; and, • Research Committee. Whilst the Executive Committee is the primary committee of the Executive, a number of other management committees and advisory groups also exist.
Appointing appropriate people on the Council and its committees, Academic Senate and its committees, and the Executive and its management committees (including ensuring an appropriate mix of skills and experience, and providing appropriate induction, training and professional 2 development). Council is comprised of three ex-officio members (including the Chancellor, who is an external member), two ministerially appointed external members, seven Council appointed external members, three staff elected members (two academic and one professional), and one student elected member, with skills and experience recorded in a matrix. Academic Senate is comprised of 14 ex-officio members, 27 elected academic staff members, 4 elected student members and up to 4 co-opted members from time to time. The Executive leadership group is comprised of 13 senior executives from the five faculties and various management divisions (which support the operations and activities of the University).
88 | The University of Newcastle 89 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
Setting the vision, purpose and strategies for the University (including making appropriate adjustments to these in response to changes in the environment). The Council contributes to, and endorses, strategy based on the recommendations and advice it receives from the Executive. The Council holds at least one strategic workshop each year. The Strategic Development Committee assists 3 the Council with reviewing proposals and tracking progress of major projects (in particular, capital works).
Ensuring appropriate systems are in place to effectively manage strategic, operational and financial risks (including ensuring appropriate risk oversight and internal controls according to Council’s risk 4 appetite). The Council oversees risk primarily through the Risk Committee.
Monitoring and assessing organisational performance (including measuring and rewarding performance against pre-agreed strategic goals and budgets). The Council monitors and assesses organisational performance against approved strategic goals, corporate plans and budgets on a 5 regular basis, including through the deliberations of its various committees.
Assessing Council effectiveness (including making appropriate changes to the way in which Council and its committees function, according to legislation, the University’s governance framework and policies, etc., and relevant and widely accepted principles and practices of good governance in the higher education and not-for-profit sectors). The Council oversees regulatory compliance primarily 6 through its Nominations and Governance Committee. The University adheres to the Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Public Universities (issued and updated jointly by Universities Australia and the University Chancellors Council).
Promoting communication and transparency (including establishing and maintaining high standards of internal and external reporting, as well as ensuring the flow of information between management and Council and its committees is accurate, reliable, complete and timely). Detailed policies and 7 protocols have been developed for managing the efficient and effective flow of information between the Council and the Executive to optimise decision-making.
Promoting integrity and ensuring accountability (including ensuring that the values of the University are well understood and observed at all levels within the organisation, requiring that staff and students act honestly and fairly, requiring that leaders lead by example, and ensuring that individuals are held responsible for their actions). The Council expresses its expectations in relation to ethical 8 behaviour accountability through various codes, policies, processes, etc. The University adheres to the principles of corporate social responsibility and environmentally sustainable governance.
Shaping culture (including promoting strong positive beliefs, values, attitudes, standards of behaviour, including collaboration, which are shared between staff, students and external parties). The Council, in conjunction with the Executive, plays a lead role in setting the tone for culture. The People and Culture 9 Committee assists Council in carrying out this important work. Council and the Executive recognise that there is an important relationship between organisational culture and performance.
Promoting effective engagement with stakeholders (including government, suppliers, staff, students and the general community). Council, through individual members’ connections, facilitates the establishment and maintenance of important relationships with many of the University’s key external 10 stakeholders.
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BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE TABLE Council may attend all committee meetings with rights of audience and debate, with the exception of the Chancellor’s Committee. The table below provides details of the number of meetings convened during the year, details the meetings council members were eligible to attend and records their attendance.
MEETINGS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE CHANCELLOR’S CHANCELLOR’S RISK COMMITTEE CONTROLLED AND CONTROLLED NOMINATIONS AND NOMINATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE ASSOCIATED ENTITIES ASSOCIATED COUNCIL (SCHEDULED) COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CULTURE* PEOPLE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC
Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans 7/7 4/4 4/4 5/5 3 6 3/4 4/4
Professor Caroline McMillen 3/4 3/3 3/3 3/4 3/3 5/5 3/3 3/3
Ms Dianne Allen 7/7 4/4 3 5/5 4/4 6/6 3/4 4/4
Mr John Bowers 7/7 N/A N/A N/A 2/2 5/6 3/4 N/A
Associate Professor Brendan Boyle 3/3 N/A 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1
Mr Doug Dean AM 6/7 N/A 3/4 N/A N/A 3 N/A 2/4
Ms Jann Gardner 7/7 2/4 N/A N/A 1/1 1 N/A 2/3*
Professor Kevin Hall 1/1 1/1 1/1 2/2 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1
Professor Mark Jones 7/7 4/4 4/4 5/5 4 2 N/A N/A
Mr Robert (Bob) Kennedy 7/7 N/A 4/4 N/A 4/4 5/6 N/A N/A
Dr Roslyn Larkin 7/7 N/A 1 N/A 3/4 1 4/4 4/4
Conjoint Professor Geoff Lilliss 6/7 N/A 4/4 4/5 N/A 6 N/A 3/4
Ms Michelle McPherson 6/7 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5/6 4/4 N/A
Professor Pablo Moscato 4/4 N/A 3/3 N/A N/A 3 N/A N/A
Ms Julie Phillips 7/7 N/A 4/4 N/A N/A 2 N/A N/A
Mr Vivak Bhavitheren (Bhavi) Ravindran 5/7 N/A 4 N/A 1 5/5 1 4/4
Mr Michael Robertson 4/4 N/A 3 N/A N/A 5/5 N/A 3/3
Dr Kylie Twyford 3/3 N/A 1 N/A 1 N/A N/A 1
Ms Deborah Wright 1/1 N/A 0/1 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/1
Professor Alex Zelinsky AO 3/3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
*Note: Member also attended an additional meeting with rights of audience and debate, prior to joining the Committee as a member Key: Single digits indicate where members have availed themselves of their rights of audience and debate.
90 | The University of Newcastle 91 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
COUNCIL TERMS OF OFFICE
DATE OF INITIAL EXPIRY OF COUNCIL MEMBER APPOINTMENT CURRENT TERM OFFICIAL MEMBERS Mr P.E. (Paul) Jeans, (Chancellor) 01/07/2013 30/06/2021 BE(UNSW), FRSN, FIEAust, FAICD Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, (Vice-Chancellor and President) 19/11/2018 18/11/2023 BMathSc(Hons), PhD, Hon DSc(UOW), GradDip(AICD), FTSE, FIEEE, Hon FIEAust, FAICD Professor Kevin Hall, Acting Vice-Chancellor 30/08/2018 18/11/2018 BSc(Hons), MSc(Queen’s), PhD(UNSW) Professor Caroline McMillen, (Vice-Chancellor and President) 12/10/2018 31/10/2011 MA(Oxon), DPhil(Oxon), MB, BChir(Cantab), FAHMS, FRSN (Retired) Professor Mark Jones, (President of Academic Senate) 01/01/2014 31/12/2019 BSc(Hons), PhD(CNAA, UK), FIMechE, CEng, FIEAust, CPEng EXTERNAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE MINISTER Conjoint Professor Geoff Lilliss 01/09/2009 31/08/2021 BE(Hons), MBA(Merit)(Newcastle), Hon FIEAust, MAICD Mr Robert (Bob) Kennedy 01/02/2014 31/01/2020 BEc(ANU), FCPA EXTERNAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY COUNCIL Ms Dianne Allen (Deputy Chancellor) 01/01/2006 31/12/2020 BCom(Newcastle), FCA, GAICD, AMICDA Mr John Bowers 14/08/2015 13/08/2019 BCom(Hons 1), MCom(Newcastle), AM(Harvard), CFA Mr Doug Dean AM 14/08/2015 13/08/2019 BCom(Newcastle), FCPA, FAIM, FAICD Ms Jann Gardner 01/01/2015 31/12/2020 BA/LLB(Sydney), MBA(Newcastle), GAICD Mrs Michelle McPherson, 09/07/2014 31/12/2021 BBus(Accounting)(UTS), CA, GAICD Ms Julie Phillips 13/08/2016 12/08/2022 BPharm, DHP, MSc(Sydney), MBA(Macq) Ms Deborah Wright 16/03/2018 23/01/2007 MBA(SCU), DipTeach(Newcastle), FAMI, CPM, AIMM, MAICD (Resigned) ACADEMIC STAFF MEMBERS - ELECTED Dr Roslyn Larkin 01/09/2014 31/08/2020 BBus(Hons), PhD(Newcastle) Associate Professor Brendan Boyle 01/09/2018 31/08/2020 BBus(DkIT, Ireland), MBS(UCD, Ireland), PhD(Sydney) Professor Pablo Moscato 01/09/2014 31/08/2018 BSc(La Plata, Argentina), PhD(UNICAMP, Brazil) NON-ACADEMIC STAFF MEMBER - ELECTED Mr Michael Robertson 02/06/2015 31/08/2018 MTEM(Melb), B.Ed(Music)(Hons)(Newcastle), Dip Mgmt., Adv Dip Mgmt Dr Kylie Twyford 01/09/2018 31/08/2020 AssocDipBus(Valuation) (SIT), BBus(UON), BEd(Hons1)(Adult Education) PhD(UTS) STUDENT MEMBER - ELECTED Mr Vivak Bhavitheren (Bhavi) Ravindran 01/01/2018 31/12/2018 BMedSc(Hons)
newcastle.edu.au | 91 92 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
OUR GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK A copy of the University’s governance policies can be found on our website at:
newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/governance-and-leadership/ policy-library Policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they reflect best practice and support stakeholders expectations wherever practical.
COUNCIL AND CHANCELLOR
ACADEMIC SENATE VICE-CHANCELLOR COMMITTEES AND ITS AND PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Nominations Chancellor’s and Governance Committee Committee
Controlled and Risk Associated Committee Entities Committee
Strategic Finance Development Committee Committee
People and Culture Committee
92 | The University of Newcastle 93 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING ACADEMIC SENATE REPORT
“Academic governance forms part of the overall governance of an educational institution, regulating academic decisions and academic quality assurance to maintain the integrity and quality of teaching, learning and research.”
OVERVIEW the conditions of appointment and employment of academic The Academic Senate is the primary forum for debate on staff, student admissions, the approval of new and revised academic issues in the University and has a major role in courses, and the maintenance of academic standards and academic quality assurance processes. It is the principal quality. advisory committee to the Council on academic matters MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY DURING THE YEAR and has the mission to protect, promote and enhance the excellence of the University’s core academic activities - • Received briefings from faculty boards confirming their teaching, learning and research. approach to managing compliance risks within their respective units. ACADEMIC GOVERNANCE LOOKING FORWARD Academic Senate is responsible for safeguarding the quality of the University’s academic activities (teaching, learning The Academic Senate is focussed on the development of our and scholarship, and research and research training). The academic progress to meet the current and future needs Academic Senate provides advice to the Council and the of our students, employees and the community in a rapidly Vice-Chancellor on all academic matters, including their changing landscape. Areas of particular focus are the New relation to the University’s strategic priorities and policies, Education Framework, micro-credentialling and meeting the needs of life long learning. MEMBERS FOURTEEN EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS THIRTY-ONE ELECTED MEMBERS* Vice-Chancellor President of Academic Senate (Chair) Professor Alex Zelinsky AO Professor Mark Jones Deputy President of Academic Senate Deputy - Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Teaching and Learning) Professor Darrell Evans Professor Liz Milward Senior Deputy - Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Deputy President of Academic Senate (Research) Professor Kevin Hall Professor Victoria Haskins Faculty PVC’s Five Members of Professoriate
Academic Staff representation from across the Faculties PVC - Singapore and at various academic levels. PVC - (Wollotuka Institute/Head of Wollotuka Institute of One Academic Staff Member – from each Faculty Board Indigenous Research and Education) One Academic Staff Member – English Language and Director (Centre for Teaching and Learning) Foundation Studies
Director (English Language and Foundation Studies) Two Undergraduate students
Dean of Graduate Research One Postgraduate coursework student
Academic Registrar (Acting) One Postgraduate Higher Degree Research student
Up to four co-opted members
* Elected members include the President of Academic Senate and both Deputy Presidents (as these 3 people fall within the 31 elected members). newcastle.edu.au | 93 94 REPORT OF OPERATIONS LEADINGMANAGING AND AND GOVERNING GOVERNING
94 | The University of Newcastle 95 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Vice-Chancellor and President is the Principal Executive Officer of the University with responsibility for strategic direction, the operation and management of the University and for chairing the University’s Executive Committee.
ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Providing advice to the Vice-Chancellor on matters of strategic and operational significance, the primary role of the Executive Committee is to define and focus the strategic direction of the University in line with the NeW Futures Strategic Plan 2016-2025, and prioritise operational decisions according to this framework.
< EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Back row (L to R): Professor Lee Smith, Professor Kevin Hall, Professor Brett Ninness, Professor Darrell Evans. Middle row (L to R): Mr Nat McGregor, Professor John Fischetti, Laureate Professor John Aitken, Mr Paul Dunn. Front row (L to R): Professor Liz Burd, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, Professor Deborah Hodgson.
Not shown: Professor Tony Travaglione.
newcastle.edu.au | 95 96 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND ITS MEMBERS
“We continue to harness the cross- functional skills of our Executive team to support our goals and objectives.”
Membership of the Executive Committee is drawn from the senior leadership of the University’s Faculties and Divisions, with the Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO BMathSc(Hons), PhD(UOW), Hon DSc, GradDip(AICD), FTSE, FIEEE, Hon FIEAust, FAICD
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Kevin Hall Innovation) Professor Deborah Hodgson BSc(Hons), MSc(Queen’s), PhD(UNSW) BA(Hons), PhD(Macquarie), FRSN, AHPRA, PBA, GAICD
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engineering and Built Professor Darrell Evans Environment) Professor Brett Ninness BSc(CNAA), PhD(Aberdeen), FRSB, FRMS, FHEA, BEng, MEng, PhD(Newcastle), FIEEE, FIEAust, FAS, FAAA FRSN, CPENG 96 | The University of Newcastle 97 REPORT OF OPERATIONS MANAGING AND GOVERNING
Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law) (Learning and Teaching), Academic Registrar Professor Tony Travaglione Professor Elizabeth Burd BBus(Curtin), MIR(UWA), PhD(UWA) BEd(Hons)(CNAA), MSc, DPhil(York), PhD(Dunelm), FHEA, SMIEEE
Laureate Professor John Aitken, Pro Vice- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Science) Chancellor, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Professor Lee Smith BSc(Lond), MSc(Wales), PhD(Camb), ScD(Camb), BSc(Hons)(Leicester), PhD(Warwick), FRSB FRSE FRSN, FAHMS, FAA
Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer Mr Nat McGregor Mr Paul Dunn BCom(Newcastle), MBA(Deakin), DipFinancial BCom(Newcastle), FCPA Services(ANZIF), GAICD, CPA, ANZIF Fellow
newcastle.edu.au | 97 PART 3 FINANCIALS The University is focused on operating a financially sustainable core business, which enables confidence in strategic investment whilst navigating uncertainty and government reform.”
FINANCIALS
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 100 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 112 SUBSIDIARIES 106 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 114 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 108 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 115 INCOME STATEMENT 109 STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL 185 STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 110 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 186 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 111
98 | The University of Newcastle 99 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS99 FINANCIALS FINANCIALS
newcastle.edu.au | 99 100 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Through diverse commercial opportunities, sound financial management and investment, we are creating a sustainable financial future that supports our aspirations to be a global leader in our spheres of achievement.
$24.7m $71.9m net result for the group Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment by the group
19% 13% growth in international growth in student income research income
$1.39B $498.2m net assets total investments
100 | The University of Newcastle 101 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR The University continued to focus on its core operating activities in 2018, and overall the 2018 6% Group result was a positive one with research 8% income and international student income exceeding $100m each for the first time. The net result for the 9% Group of $24.7m was $32.7m (57%) less than 2017, primarily due to a change in accounting standards 2018 and the treatment of an unrealised loss of $23.6m REVENUE on investments at 31 December 2018. 13% The University’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Paul 64% Dunn, resigned from the University in February 2019 after 4 years in the role. Ms Paula Johnston will join the University as the new Chief Financial Officer in June 2019.
The 2018 Financial Statements have been Education Other Govt Other income decluttered to make the report more concise and to better highlight the financial results of the Group. Research Investments and Commercial
FINANCIAL OUTCOMES FINANCIAL POSITION Unless stated otherwise, references to the ‘Group’ in this The Group’s financial position remains strong with net section indicate the Consolidated Group’s results in the assets of $1.39 billion at 31 December 2018, and no external financial statements starting on page 108. The group includes borrowings. The low current ratio of the University is due to the University of Newcastle (parent entity) and its controlled the strategic allocation of investments to a Long Term Pool entities, UON Singapore Pte Ltd and The University of and their classification as non-current assets. A significant Newcastle Research Associates Ltd. portion of funds within the Long Term Pool are invested in highly liquid assets that attract greater returns therefore the In 2017 and 2018 the group result showed modest annual group’s liquidity is enhanced via this investment strategy. growth of 0.9% in total group income, bolstered by 19% growth in international student income (up $18.3m to The Group’s investments totalled $498.2M at the end of $114.4m) and 13% growth in research income (up $12.3m to 2018 compared with $492.6m in the prior year. In 2017, $100.8m). the unrealised gains and losses on revaluation of the University’s investment portfolio were recognised in Other In late 2018, the University finalised its enterprise agreements Comprehensive Income. However, in 2018 upon adoption of for academic and professional staff providing a stable base AASB 9 Financial Instruments, the University began recording for growth in 2019-2020. The University also recorded a unrealised gains and losses on revaluation of investments in one-off payment of $13.1m to staff and former staff in 2018 the Income Statement. With the downturn in the Australian in order to correct for the underpayment of superannuation equity market in December 2018, the revaluation of the contributions. investment portfolio at 31 December reflected a loss of Total non-salary expenses in the University increased by $22.3m. Excluding investment revaluations, the net result 6.0% in 2018 and this reflects an additional investment in IT in 2018 was $47.0m compared with $57.4m in the prior year. services and the University’s Global Partnerships Plan Phase Realised investment income in 2018 was $27.6m, which was 2 (GPP 2.0). slightly down on the prior year income ($30.1m), but still represents a very favourable return. Operating cash flows of the University Group in 2018 were $64.0m, which was a positive outcome and in line with the The University elected to record its long-term strategic $60.4m reported in the prior year. Capital expenditure on investment in Education Australia Ltd at fair value through property, plant and equipment by the group was $71.9m Other Comprehensive Income upon adoption of AASB in 2018, slightly higher than $69.8m recorded in 2017. The 9 Financial Instruments in 2018. The revaluation of this University’s expansion of its Newcastle city presence, which investment resulted in an unrealised gain of $6.7m at 31 included the official opening of the $95m NeW Space December 2018. building in May 2018, was advanced by securing a site in The annual independent valuation of land, buildings and the Honeysuckle CBD district in 2018 and the launch of the infrastructure assets resulted in a net increment of $38.3m Concept Master Plan. (2017: $11.6m) which was recorded in the asset revaluation reserve. The increase in 2018 was largely due to the New Space building being revalued for the first time in 2018.
*Research income reported in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards differs from HERDC reported research income newcastle.edu.au | 101 and the actual value of research grants awarded, but not recognised as income, during the year. 102 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
TABLE 1: FINANCIAL RESULTS AND BUDGET (UNIVERSITY ONLY)
2018 $M 2018 $M 2017 $M 2017 $M ACTUAL BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Australian government financial assistance 492.0 457.6 480.0 502.5
State and local government financial assistance 20.3 20.3 17.4 58.4
HECS-HELP - Student payments 5.2 0.8 6.0 6.7
Fees and charges 165.6 175.8 144.9 160.1
Investment revenue 10.7 25.3 39.9 25.2
Royalties, trademarks and licences 0.1 0.2 0.4 3.2
Consultancy and contracts 32.7 55.1 29.2 15.8
Other revenue 39.9 35.3 39.3 29.6
Other investment income - - 2.5 -
Total income from continuing operations 766.7 770.4 759.6 801.5
EXPENSES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Employee related expenses (422.2) (461.9) (413.9) (411.9)
Depreciation and amortisation (50.7) (48.8) (46.5) (44.5)
Repairs and maintenance (31.2) (25.4) (26.2) (25.0)
Borrowing costs (0.1) - (0.1) -
Impairment of assets (0.3) (0.2) (1.4) (0.3)
Loss on disposal of assets (0.1) (0.1) (0.3) -
Deferred superannuation expense (3.5) - - -
Other expenses (233.8) (216.4) (213.6) (229.5)
Total expenses from continuing operations (741.9) (752.8) (702.0) (711.2)
Net result before income tax 24.8 17.6 57.6 90.3
Note 1: Research income reported in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards differs from HERDC reported research income and the actual value of research grants awarded, but not recognised as income, during the year. Note 2: The 2018 budget provided above was the first and only budget approved by the University’s Council for the year.
TABLE 2: 2018 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS NET SURPLUS BUDGET NET INCOME EXPENSES (DEFICIT) SURPLUS (DEFICIT) $M $M $M $M University of Newcastle 766.7 (741.9) 24.8 17.6
TUNRA 9.2 (8.9) 0.3 0.2
UON Singapore 6.8 (7.3) (0.4) (0.4)
Consolidation adjustments (4.8) 4.9 - -
Consolidated entity 777.9 (753.2) 24.7 17.4
Please refer to note 31 of the financial statements for details of the University’s subsidiaries.
102 | The University of Newcastle 103 FINANCIALS
-800 -700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2019 BUDGET 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
SUMMARY-800 2019-700 BUDGETED-600 -500 FINANCIAL-400 -300 -200 PERFORMANCE-100 (UNIVERSITY ONLY) 0 2018 $M 2018 $M 2017 $M 2017 $M 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 ACTUAL BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS INCOME 0 Australian government financial assistance 492.0 457.6 480.0 502.5 $305.3m Government contributions State and local government financial assistance 20.3 20.3 17.4 58.4
HECS-HELP - Student payments 5.2 0.8 6.0 6.7
Fees and charges 165.6 175.8 144.9 160.1 Student $328.4m Investment revenue 10.7 25.3 39.9 25.2 contributions
Royalties, trademarks and licences 0.1 0.2 0.4 3.2
Consultancy and contracts 32.7 55.1 29.2 15.8 $94.9m Research Other revenue 39.9 35.3 39.3 29.6
Other investment income - - 2.5 -
Total income from continuing operations 766.7 770.4 759.6 801.5 $52.8m Other
EXPENSES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Employee related expenses (422.2) (461.9) (413.9) (411.9) Depreciation and amortisation (50.7) (48.8) (46.5) (44.5) $781.3m Total income Repairs and maintenance (31.2) (25.4) (26.2) (25.0)
Borrowing costs (0.1) - (0.1) -
Impairment of assets (0.3) (0.2) (1.4) (0.3) EXPENSES Loss on disposal of assets (0.1) (0.1) (0.3) -
Deferred superannuation expense (3.5) - - - Salary and related ($427.5m)
Other expenses (233.8) (216.4) (213.6) (229.5)
Total expenses from continuing operations (741.9) (752.8) (702.0) (711.2) Net result before income tax 24.8 17.6 57.6 90.3 Non-salary ($287.2m)
Depreciation ($51.4m)
Total expenses ($766.1m)
Surplus for the year $15.3m
newcastle.edu.au | 103 104 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE Performance for 2018 is shown in the graphs below: INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE ACHIEVED COMPARED TO NSW TREASURY CORPORATION BENCHMARKS (UNIVERSITY ONLY) (0.1%) 0.1%
2.2% THE 1.4% UNIVERSITY OF NSW T CORP 2.0%2.3% BENCHMARK NEWCASTLE 2.2% 1 YEAR% 1 YEAR% 2.2%
Short-term cash investments TCorpIM Cash Fund
Short-term managed investments TCorpIM Strategic Cash Fund
Long-term investments TCorpIM Long Term Growth Fund
Source University treasury records and NSW TCorpIM Fund performance provided by Mercer Consulting
LIABILITY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PERFORMANCE The University did not have any external bank There were no significant events that affected payment borrowings at 31 December 2018. performance. A number of internal process improvements were undertaken to improve accounts payable performance in 2018, including Robotic Process Automation for faster onboarding of new domestic suppliers. There were no instances where penalty interest was paid in 2018.
TABLE 3: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PERFORMANCE IN 2018 (UNIVERSITY ONLY)
31 MARCH 30 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 31 DECEMBER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AT: $M $M $M $M Not overdue 1.1 4.1 3 0.7 Under 30 days 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.1 Between 30 to 60 days - - 0.1 - Between 60 to 90 days - - - - More than 90 days overdue - - 0.1 - Total 1.9 4.2 3.3 0.8 Invoices paid on time Q1 31 March Q2 30 June Q3 30 September Q4 31 December % % % % Actual based on volume 82.7 92.1 96 94.6 Actual based on value 85 96.7 97.5 98.1 Target 66.7 66.7 66.7 66.7 $m $m $m $m Actual value paid 39.9 54.8 60.4 96.8 Total amount paid 46.9 56.6 61.9 98.7
104 | The University of Newcastle 105 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
MOVEMENT IN WAGES CREDIT CARD CERTIFICATION The movement in wages is consistent with the University’s During the 2018 financial year, credit card use was in strategy and reflects enterprise agreement salary increases. A accordance with the University’s credit card and purchasing one-off payment of $13.1m to staff and former staff was made policies. These policies are based on the Premier’s in 2018 to correct for the underpayment of superannuation Memoranda and Treasurer’s Directions. contributions. There were no other exceptional movements in wages, salaries or allowances in 2018. LAND DISPOSAL OVERSEAS TRAVEL The University did not dispose of any land in excess of $5.0m during 2018. The University is committed to growing its reputation internationally and building worldwide awareness of its FUNDS GRANTED TO NON-GOVERNMENT educational achievements and innovative research outcomes. COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS The total expenditure on international travel was $7.1m in 2018 (2017: $6.6m). This includes the cost of airfares, During 2018, the University provided $72,182 in grant funding accommodation, and other transport costs. In 2018 University to local non-government community organisations (2017: staff members travelled overseas to promote the University, $83,415). and collaborate internationally by undertaking international research and delivering academic presentations.
TABLE 4: FUNDS GRANTED TO NON-GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
NAME OF RECIPIENT PROGRAMS AREA NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING AIMS AND TARGET GRANT ORGANISATION AS PER BUDGET CLIENTS AMOUNT $ Newcastle Hunter Writers' Poetry Prize Raise the profile of Arts and Humanities in region, support cultural 25,455 Centre & Short Story community and enhance links into community for students Competition
This is Not Art Raise the profile of Arts and Humanities in region, support cultural Octopod 10,000 (TiNA) Festival community and enhance links into community for students
To support the Injustice Justice Exhibition, to raise the profile of the Law Newcastle Newcastle Law School past public interest cases, to provide educational material and 1,000 History School immersion for 210 first year students and to support a public symposium which featured law students and staff. Local Indigenous Aboriginal NAIDOC sponsorship for community engagement with local aboriginal Education and 2,727 Land Council community to raise profile and build connections Research Darkinjung Raise the profile of the University and our Confucius Institute in the region, The Rotary support cultural community and enhance links into community for students. International and Club of The ‘Light Up Newcastle’ Lantern Walk is a Newcastle-based community event 5,000 Advancement Newcastle in celebration of Chinese New Year, which attracted over 10,000 participants in 2018. To raise the profile of the School of Creative Industries with national recording artists and musicians. This has positioned the University as an This is Ricochet School of innovative leader in the area of music education while strengthening music 10,000 Pty Ltd Creative Industry industry partnerships with BMG Records and recording artists, providing vocational pathways for students in the area of song writing, recording and music production. Major Sponsor for Hunter Business Awards Dinner 2018, held 10.8.2018. Raise Hunter the profile of the University in the region, and enhance linkages to industry Academic Business and local business community for students. The awards, hosted by the Hunter 18,000 Division Chamber Business Chamber, acknowledge business excellence and diversity across the region.
Total 72,182
newcastle.edu.au | 105 106 FINANCIALS SUBSIDIARIES
SUBSIDIARIES
The main objective of this challenge was to kindle the idea UON SINGAPORE PTE LTD of developing a sustainable society among the younger UON Singapore, which was established in 2006, is of strategic generation by encouraging the creation of innovative importance to the University of Newcastle. With close to products and/or services that would be sustainable and 5,000 graduates hailing from Southeast Asia, UON Singapore scalable. The Challenge attracted 61 participants across 18 provides access to a world-class higher education and teams from various Institutes of Higher Learnings (IHLs), contributes to the human capital development of Singapore with the judging panel drawn from DBS Bank Singapore, the and the broader region. Public Utilities Board, the Building and Construction Authority Singapore and other consulting agencies. In the 2017- 2019 Strategic Plan, UON Singapore established a vision, and strategic objectives and goals that not only align UON Singapore, in partnership with BCA Academy and with the University’s NeW Futures Strategic Plan 2016-2025, PSB Academy, also undertook marketing, recruitment and but also complements Singapore’s national development business development activities in Myanmar, Malaysia and goals of competitiveness, productivity growth and innovation. China. These visits complemented UON Singapore’s program diversification and enrichment efforts while also contributing As part of its 2017-2019 Strategic Plans, a range of initiatives to a 6.2% growth in commencing student load. involving businesses, industry, government agencies, professional organisations, community groups, alumni, public COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT and private higher education institutions and the wider Corporate Social Responsibility involvement included staff community were undertaken. The key highlights include: attending a Deaf Awareness Program through the Singapore EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT Association for the Deaf to better appreciate the deaf culture, community and language as well as some Basic SgSL signs. Singapore’s national vision of a sustainable economy built Staff also worked on the production of essential life kits for on a culture that embraces lifelong learning underpins the Asian Women Welfare Association (AWWA). UON Singapore’s desire to build close relationships with key industry and education stakeholders which was clearly PROFILE ENHANCEMENT evident in the following initiatives implemented during the UON Singapore was recognized at the Education Investor year. Global Awards as winner of the ‘Higher Education Institution A team of engineering undergraduate students took part of the Year’ award and for its role as an ambassador of the in the National Engineers Day (NED) - Energy Innovation Australian Higher Education sector which differentiates it Challenge (EIC) 2018, organized by the Institution of Engineers from many other foreign universities operating in Singapore. Singapore (IES). NED 2018 became the battleground for 90 talented engineering teams from Singapore and across RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS the region who displayed their innovative energy solutions In the area of Research Performance, UON Singapore’s full- products during the three-day NED fair. The UON Singapore time academic staff published 9 international journal articles, team was 1st runner up, in the University category with the 2 books, presented 11 conference papers and a full-day project of a Wireless Healthcare Monitoring System and conference workshop. UON Singapore has also successfully received an EIC 2018 Trophy and a cheque for $5,000. secured one internal and one external project grant totalling S$6,000 in cash and S$200,000 in-kind from the Centre for To build further rapport with education providers, UON Infrastructure Performance and Reliability and ETH Singapore Singapore also organized its first Young Sustainability respectively. Innovators’ Challenge with the theme ‘Sustainable Society’, targeting pre-university students from Junior Colleges, Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics, International Schools and Private Education Institutions in Singapore.
106 | The University of Newcastle 107 FINANCIALS SUBSIDIARIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE PLANNED STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES IN 2019 • Increasingly leveraging the University’s assets and RESEARCH ASSOCIATES LIMITED resources to facilitate a more robust and responsive (TUNRA) customer-service environment supported by a flexible The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited operating model that provides additional opportunities for (TUNRA) completed a successful year of commercial University research. operation as part of the Research and Innovation Division. • To continue to make, as a controlled entity, a direct and TUNRA operates as a wholly-owned Controlled Entity of the indirect contribution to the University. University of Newcastle and acts as an important interface between Academia and Industry. TUNRA plays an important role in University strategy by further leveraging University research capabilities and assets to create additional value for the institution by operating in a commercial setting. The focus for the business for 2018 has been on the continued growth of the TUNRA Bulk Solids (TBS) business unit, as well as the exploration and identification of new business opportunities. 2018 ACHIEVEMENTS • Further refinement of the robust governance structure to support the commercial research activities. This includes policy documentation, legislative compliance and review of risk management frameworks. • Strong performance of the TBS business unit. The main commercial research services that TBS offer are flow property testing and characterisation, and engineering design services. The main sector TBS operates in is mining, with Clients such as BHP Iron Ore, Rio Tinto and Glencore. • The completion of a number of industry specific training courses in the materials handling sector. These courses are conducted as a means of educating industry based on the research developments of the University. • TUNRA hosted project, Viralytics Pty Ltd, an Australian publicly traded company focusing on oncolytic immunotherapy treatments for a range of cancers, and based on the research from Professor Darren Shafren, was acquired by the global pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. • Continued vision to strengthen TUNRA’s operating model to remain responsive to industry and commerce.
newcastle.edu.au | 107 108 FINANCIALS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The University of Newcastle
ABN 15 736 576 735
Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2018
108 | The University of Newcastle 109 FINANCIALS The University of Newcastle INCOME STATEMENT INCOMEIncome Statement STATEMENT FORFor THE the YEARYear ENDEDEnded 31 31 DECEMBER December 2018 2018
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Income from continuing operations Australian Government financial assistance Australian Government grants 2 335,288 335,340 335,288 335,340 HELP - Australian Government 2 payments 156,680 146,584 156,680 146,584 State and local government financial 3 assistance 20,353 14,288 20,353 14,288 HECS-HELP - Student payments 5,250 5,975 5,250 5,975 Fees and charges 4 172,372 150,852 165,639 144,936 Investment income 5 10,994 42,491 10,699 42,438 Royalties, trademarks and licences 904 1,266 146 367 Consultancy and contracts 6 39,854 40,943 32,733 32,748 Other revenue 7 36,199 33,568 39,931 36,943
Total income from continuing operations 777,894 771,307 766,719 759,619 Expenses from continuing operations Employee related expenses 8 430,446 419,127 422,155 411,335 Depreciation and amortisation 9 50,852 46,603 50,748 46,472 Repairs and maintenance 10 31,295 26,306 31,253 26,248 Borrowing costs 6 13 52 59 Impairment of assets 11 330 1,292 332 1,358 Loss on disposal of assets 140 270 140 270 Deferred superannuation expense 8/33 3,469 2,592 3,469 2,592 Other expenses 12 236,696 217,729 233,775 213,698
Total expenses from continuing operations 753,234 713,932 741,924 702,032 Net result before income tax from continuing operations 24,660 57,375 24,795 57,587 Income tax expense - 16 - -
Net result after income tax for the period 24,660 57,391 24,795 57,587 Net result attributable to: Members of the University of Newcastle 24,660 57,391 24,795 57,587
Total 24,660 57,391 24,795 57,587
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 1 newcastle.edu.au | 109 110 FINANCIALS STATEMENTThe OF University COMPREHENSIVE of New INCOMEcastle STATEMENTStatement of Comprehensive OF COMPREHENSIVE Income INCOME FORFor THE the YEARYear ENDEDEnded 31 31 DECEMBER December 2018 2018
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Net result after income tax for the period 24,660 57,391 24,795 57,587 Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 240 (8) - - Net changes in value of available for sale financial assets, net of tax - 19,517 - 19,526 Reclassification to profit and loss - disposal of available-for-sale assets - (2,626) - (2,626)
Total 240 16,883 - 16,900 Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Gain / (loss) on revaluation of land and 22 buildings, net of tax 38,339 13,633 38,339 13,633 Net actuarial gain / (loss) recognised in 22/33 respect of defined benefits plans 1,483 1,050 1,483 1,050 Gain / (loss) on revaluation of other financial assets through comprehensive 22 income 6,733 - 6,733 -
Total 46,555 14,683 46,555 14,683 Total other comprehensive income 46,795 31,566 46,555 31,583 Comprehensive result 71,455 88,957 71,350 89,170
Total comprehensive income attributable to: Members of the University of Newcastle 71,455 88,957 71,350 89,170
Total 71,455 88,957 71,350 89,170
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 2 110 | The University of Newcastle 111 FINANCIALS The University of Newcastle STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENTStatement of Financial OF FINANCIALPosition POSITION FORAs THEAt 31 YEAR December ENDED 312018 DECEMBER 2018
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 13 13,053 17,431 8,078 12,523 Trade and other receivables 14 49,107 45,824 48,278 44,788 Inventories 50 64 50 64 Other financial assets 15 75,068 54,474 75,068 54,474 Non-current assets held for sale 1,586 - 1,583 -
Total current assets 138,864 117,793 133,057 111,849 Non-current assets Receivables 14 432,266 433,685 432,183 433,608 Other financial assets 15 423,141 438,150 423,118 437,302 Property, plant and equipment 16 1,030,367 979,714 1,030,129 979,404 Intangible assets 17 21,843 15,028 21,840 14,950
Total non-current assets 1,907,617 1,866,577 1,907,270 1,865,264 Total assets 2,046,481 1,984,370 2,040,327 1,977,113
Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables 18 46,308 40,866 47,660 40,925 Provisions 20 98,114 102,190 96,894 101,208 Other liabilities 21 37,386 44,791 36,451 43,679
Total current liabilities 181,808 187,847 181,005 185,812 Non-current liabilities Provisions 20 474,340 477,645 474,101 477,430
Total non-current liabilities 474,340 477,645 474,101 477,430 Total liabilities 656,148 665,492 655,106 663,242 Net assets 1,390,333 1,318,878 1,385,221 1,313,871
Equity Reserves 22 499,434 475,809 498,172 474,246 Retained earnings 22 890,899 843,069 887,049 839,625
Total equity 1,390,333 1,318,878 1,385,221 1,313,871
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 3 newcastle.edu.au | 111 112 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle STATEMENTThe OF University CHANGES IN ofEQUITY Newcastle Statement of Changes in Equity STATEMENTStatementFor the Year Ended of Changes 31 OFDecember CHANGESin Equity 2018 IN EQUITY FORFor THE the YEAR Year ENDED Ended 31 31 DECEMBER December 2018 2018 2018 Parent 2018 RetainedParent Reserves Earnings Total Retained Reserves$'000 Earnings$'000 $'000Total Balance at 1 January 2018 $'000474,246 $'000839,625 1,313,871$'000 BalanceNet result at 1 January 2018 474,246- 839,62524,795 1,313,87124,795 NetGain/(loss) result on revaluation of land and buildings, net of - 24,795 24,795 tax 38,339 - 38,339 Gain/(loss) on revaluation of land and buildings, net of taxGain/(loss) on financial assets at fair value through OCI 38,3396,733 - 38,3396,733 Gain/(loss)Remeasurements on financial of Defined assets Benefit at fair Plansvalue through OCI 1,4836,733 - 1,4836,733 TotalRemeasurements comprehensive of Defined income Benefit Plans 46,5551,483 24,795- 71,3501,483 TotalTransfer comprehensive from revaulation income reserves to retained earnings 46,555 24,795 71,350 on adoption of AASB 9 (22,629) 22,629 - Transfer from revaulation reserves to retained earnings Balanceon adoption at 31of AASBDecember 9 2018 498,172(22,629) 887,04922,629 1,385,221- Balance at 31 December 2018 498,172 887,049 1,385,221 2017 Parent 2017 RetainedParent Reserves Earnings Total Retained Reserves$'000 Earnings$'000 $'000Total Balance at 1 January 2017 $'000444,682 $'000780,019 1,224,701$'000 BalanceNet result at 1 January 2017 444,682- 780,01957,587 1,224,70157,587 NetGain/(loss) result on revaluation land and buildings, net of tax 13,633- 57,587- 57,58713,633 Gain/(loss) on revaluation landof available-for-sale and buildings, net financial of tax 13,633 - 13,633 assets 19,526 - 19,526 Gain/(loss) on revaluation of available-for-sale financial assetsReclassification of revaluation reserves to profit and 19,526 - 19,526 loss for disposal of available-for-sale financial assets (2,626) - (2,626) Reclassification of revaluation reserves to profit and lossRemeasurements for disposal of of available-for-sale Defined Benefit Plansfinancial assets (2,626)1,050 - (2,626)1,050 TotalRemeasurements comprehensive of Defined income Benefit Plans 31,5831,050 57,587- 89,1701,050 TotalTransfer comprehensive from revaluation income reserves to retained earnings 31,583 57,587 89,170 for asset sales (2,019) 2,019 - Transfer from revaluation reserves to retained earnings Balancefor asset atsales31 December 2017 474,246(2,019) 839,6252,019 1,313,871- Balance at 31 December 2017 474,246 839,625 1,313,871
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 4 The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 4 112 | The University of Newcastle 113 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS The University of Newcastle STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Statement of Changes in Equity Statement of Changes in Equity STATEMENTFor the Year Ended 31 OFDecember CHANGES 2018 IN EQUITY FORFor THE the YEAR Year ENDED Ended 31 31 DECEMBER December 2018 2018 2018 Consolidated 2018 ConsolidatedRetained Reserves EarningsRetained Total Reserves$'000 Earnings$'000 $'000Total $'000 $'000 $'000 Balance at 1 January 2018 475,809 843,069 1,318,878 BalanceNet result at 1 January 2018 475,809- 843,06924,660 1,318,87824,660 Gain/(loss)Net result on revaluation of land and buildings, net of - 24,660 24,660 taxGain/(loss) on revaluation of land and buildings, net of 38,339 - 38,339 taxGain/(loss) on financial assets at fair value through OCI 38,3396,733 - 38,3396,733 Gain/(loss) on foreignfinancial exchange assets at fair value through OCI 6,733240 - 6,733240 RemeasurementsGain/(loss) on foreign of Defined exchange Benefit Plans 1,483240 - 1,483240 Remeasurements of Defined Benefit Plans 1,483 - 1,483 Total comprehensive income 46,795 24,660 71,455 TransferTotal comprehensive from revaluation income reserves to retained earnings 46,795 24,660 71,455 onTransfer adoption from of revaluation AASB 9 reserves to retained earnings (23,170) 23,170 - on adoption of AASB 9 (23,170) 23,170 - Balance at 31 December 2018 499,434 890,899 1,390,333 Balance at 31 December 2018 499,434 890,899 1,390,333
2017 Consolidated 2017 ConsolidatedRetained Reserves EarningsRetained Total Reserves$'000 Earnings$'000 $'000Total $'000 $'000 $'000 Balance at 1 January 2017 446,262 783,659 1,229,921 BalanceNet result at 1 January 2017 446,262- 783,65957,391 1,229,92157,391 Gain/(loss)Net result on revaluation of land and buildings, net of - 57,391 57,391 taxGain/(loss) on revaluation of land and buildings, net of 13,633 - 13,633 Gain/(loss)tax on revaluation of available-for-sale financial 13,633 - 13,633 assetsGain/(loss) on revaluation of available-for-sale financial 19,517 - 19,517 Reclassificationassets of revaluation reserves to profit and 19,517 - 19,517 lossReclassification for disposal ofof revaluationavailable-for-sale reserves financial to profit assets and (2,626) - (2,626) lossRemeasurements for disposal of of available-for-sale Defined Benefit Plansfinancial assets (2,626)1,050 - (2,626)1,050 ExchangeRemeasurements differences of Defined on translation Benefit ofPlans foreign 1,050 - 1,050 operationsExchange differences on translation of foreign (8) - (8) operations (8) - (8) Total comprehensive income 31,566 57,391 88,957 TransferTotal comprehensive from revaluation income reserves to retained earnings 31,566 57,391 88,957 forTransfer asset fromsales revaluation reserves to retained earnings (2,019) 2,019 - for asset sales (2,019) 2,019 - Balance at 31 December 2017 475,809 843,069 1,318,878 Balance at 31 December 2017 475,809 843,069 1,318,878
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 5 5 newcastle.edu.au | 113 114 FINANCIALS STATEMENTThe OF University CASH FLOWS of Newcastle STATEMENTStatement of Cash OF Flow CASHs FLOWS FORFor THE the YEARYear ENDEDEnded 31 31 DECEMBER December 2018 2018
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Cash flows from operating activities: Australian Government Grants 516,000 477,403 516,000 477,403 OS-HELP (net) (158) (2,268) (158) (2,268) State Government Grants 20,353 17,357 20,353 17,357 HECS-HELP - Student payments 5,250 5,975 5,250 5,975 Receipts from student fees and other customers 252,279 248,971 240,300 239,460 Donations received 500 - 500 - Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST) (739,756) (702,109) (727,524) (689,762) Interest received 288 827 287 825 Interest paid (6) (13) (6) (13) GST recovered/paid 9,214 14,250 10,008 14,939 Income taxes paid - 16 - - Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 29 63,964 60,409 65,010 63,916
Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 245 2,494 176 2,493 Payments for property, plant and equipment (71,923) (69,826) (71,916) (69,706) Proceeds from sale of financial assets 153,601 82,380 151,239 82,329 Payments for financial assets (149,000) (79,322) (149,000) (79,322) Payment for purchase of intellectual property (18) (16) - - Payment for investments (1,595) - - - Proceeds from repayments of interest bearing loans 79 74 79 74 Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities (68,611) (64,216) (69,422) (64,132)
Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of borrowings (33) (139) (33) (139) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities (33) (139) (33) (139)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (4,680) (3,946) (4,445) (355) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 17,431 21,380 12,523 12,878 Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 302 (3) - - 13 Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 13,053 17,431 8,078 12,523
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 6 114 | The University of Newcastle 115 FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
CONTENTS
1. Summary of significant accounting policies 116 18. Trade and other payables 146 2. Australian Government financial assistance 125 19. Borrowings 147 including Australian Government loan 20. Provisions 148 programs (HELP) 21. Other liabilities 149 3. State and Local Government financial 127 22. Reserves and retained earnings 149 assistance 23. Key management personnel disclosures 152 4. Fees and charges 128 24. Remuneration of auditors 154 5. Investment income 129 25. Fair value measurement 155 6. Consultancy and contracts 130 26. Interests in other entities 159 7. Other revenue and income 130 27. Related parties 161 8. Employee related expenses 131 28. Contingencies 164 9. Depreciation and amortisation 133 29. Reconciliation of net result after income tax 164 10. Repairs and maintenance 134 to net cash provided by/ (used in) operating 11. Impairment of assets 134 activities 12. Other expenses 135 30. Events Occurring After the Reporting Date 165 13. Cash and cash equivalents 135 31. Financial risk management 165 14. Trade and other receivables 136 32. Commitments 168 15. Other financial assets 137 33. Defined benefit plans 169 16. Property, plant and equipment 141 34. Acquittal of Australian Government financial 179 17. Intangible assets 144 assistance
newcastle.edu.au | 115 116 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied for all years reported unless otherwise stated. The financial statements include separate statements for The University of Newcastle as the parent entity and the consolidated entity consisting of The University of Newcastle and its subsidiaries.
(a) Basis of Preparation
The annual financial statements represent the audited general purpose financial statements of The University of Newcastle and its subsidiaries ('The Group'). They have been prepared on an accrual basis and comply with the Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) and other authoritative pronouncements of the AAS Board.
The Group applies Tier 1 reporting requirements.
Additionally the statements have been prepared in accordance with following statutory requirements:
Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Financial Statement Guidelines)
Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (NSW)
Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015 (NSW)
The University of Newcastle is a not-for-profit entity and these statements have been prepared on that basis. Some of the AAS requirements for not-for-profit entities are inconsistent with the IFRS requirements.
Date of authorisation for issue
The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Council of The University of Newcastle on 29 March 2019.
Historical cost convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for debt and equity financial assets (including derivative financial instruments) that have been measured at fair value either through other comprehensive income or profit or loss, and certain classes of property, plant and equipment.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with AAS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. This note provides an overview of the areas that involved a higher degree of judgement or complexity and of items which are more likely to be materially adjusted due to estimates and assumptions turning out wrong. Detailed information about each of these estimates and judgements are included within other notes.
Fair value of financial assets (refer to note 15)
Impairment of financial assets (refer to note 15)
Employee benefits - Long service leave provision (refer to note 20)
Employee benefits - Defined benefit plans obligation (refer to note 20 and 33) 7 116 | The University of Newcastle 117 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(a) Basis of Preparation continued
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment (refer to note 16)
Fair value of property, plant and equipment (refer to note 16)
(b) Basis of Consolidation
(i) Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of The University of Newcastle (''parent entity'') as at 31 December 2018 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. The University of Newcastle and its subsidiaries together are referred to in this financial report as the Group or the consolidated entity.
Subsidiaries are all those entities (including structured entities) over which the Group has control. The Group has control over an investee when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Power over the investee exists when the Group has existing rights that give it current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Returns are not necessarily monetary and can be only positive, only negative, or both positive and negative.
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de- consolidated from the date control ceases.
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of changes in equity respectively.
Loss of control of the subsidiary will result in derecognition of the assets and liabilities of the former subsidiary from the consolidated statement of financial position. Any investment retained in the formed subsidiary is recognised and accounted for in accordance with the relevant Standards. The loss or gain associated with loss of control attributable to the former controlling interest is recognised.
(ii) Associates
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control. Investments in associates are accounted for in the parent entity financial statements using the cost method or the equity method, and in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting, after initially being recognised at cost.
The Group’s share of its associates’ post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the income statement, and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognised in reserves. The cumulative post- acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. Dividends receivable from 8 newcastle.edu.au | 117 118 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(b) Basis of Consolidation continued
associates are recognised in the parent entity’s income statement, while in the consolidated financial statements they reduce the carrying amount of the investment.
Gains or losses resulting from 'upstream' and 'downstream' transactions, involving assets that do not constitute a business, are recognised in the parent's financial statements only to the extent of unrelated investors' interests in the associate or joint venture. Gains or losses resulting from the contribution of non-monetary assets in exchange for an equity interest are accountable for in the same method.
When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
(c) Comparative Amounts
Where necessary, comparative information has been reclassified to enhance comparability in respect of changes in presentation adopted in the current year. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
(d) Income Tax
The University of Newcastle does not provide for Australian income tax as it is exempt under the provisions of Division 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA).
(e) Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. In this case, it is recognised as part of the cost acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included with other receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.
Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation authority, are presented as operating cash flows.
Commitments are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from or payable to tax authorities.
(f) Foreign currency translation
(i) Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operations (‘the functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is The University of Newcastle’s functional and presentation currency.
9 118 | The University of Newcastle 119 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(f) Foreign currency translation continued
(ii) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement. Qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges in a foreign operation are accounted for by recognising the portion of the gain or loss determined to be an effective hedge in other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion in profit or loss.
If gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognised in other comprehensive income, translation gains or losses are also recognised in other comprehensive income. Similarly, if gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognised in profit or loss, translation gains or losses are also recognised in profit or loss.
(iii) Group companies
The results and financial position of all the Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:
assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the end of the reporting period;
income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and
all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.
(g) Rounding of amounts
Amounts have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, to the nearest dollar.
(h) New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
The following standards have been issued but are not mandatory for 31 December 2018 reporting periods. The Group has elected not to early adopt any of these standards. The Group's assessment of the impact of these new Standards and Interpretations is set out below:
10 newcastle.edu.au | 119 120 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(h) New Accounting Standards and Interpretations continued
Application Standard date Implications AASB 15 Revenue from 1 Jan 2019 AASB 15 replaces AASB 118 and AASB 111. The revenue model Contracts with introduced by this standard is to recognise revenue when (or as) Customers and AASB the Group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a 1058 Income for Not- promised good or service to a customer at an amount the entity for-profits expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.
The standard permits either a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption and the Group intends to adopt the modified retrospective approach at 1 January 2019.
AASB 1058 supersedes all the income requirements relating to not-for-profits previously in AASB 1004 Contributions.
AASB 1058 applies to all transactions of a not-for-profit entity where the consideration provided to acquire an asset is significantly less than its fair value and that discount is provided to principally enable the not-for-profit to further its objectives.
Management has assessed the effect of applying the new standard on the Group's financial statements and has identified the following significant impacts. The recognition of revenue from all other revenue streams is expected to remain consistent with previous years.
Accounting for research and capital grants - Revenue from the majority of research grants is currently recognised when the Group obtains control of the right to receive the grant, it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and it can be reliably measured. Under AASB 15 revenue is only recognised when the Group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service to a customer. Satisfaction of performance obligations could be at a point in time or over time. Where there are no sufficiently specific performance obligations revenue is recognised immediately when the Group has the right to receive the grant. The Group expects to recognise a financial liability of $63 million at 1 January 2019. This financial liability will be extinguished as the Group delivers its obligations. Commitments in relation to research grants at 31 December 2018 are disclosed in note 32.
11 120 | The University of Newcastle 121 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(h) New Accounting Standards and Interpretations continued
Application Standard date Implications AASB 16 Leases 1 Jan 2019 AASB 16 was issued in February 2016 and will result in almost all leases being recognised on the balance sheet by lessees, as the distinction between operating and finance leases is removed.
The calculation of the lease liability will take into account appropriate discount rates, assumptions about the lease term, and increase in lease payments. A corresponding right to use assets will be also recognised which will be amortised over the term of the lease.
The Group has reviewed all the leasing arrangements in light of the new lease accounting rules in AASB 16.The standard will affect primarily the accounting for the Group’s operating leases. As at the reporting date, the group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments of $13 million (see note 32). The Group estimates that approximately 40-50% of these relate to payments for short-term and low value leases which will be recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss.
For the remaining lease commitments the Group expects to recognise right of use assets of approximately $ 6.9 million on 1 January 2019 and lease liabilities of $6.9 million.
While the impact on the income statement has not yet fully been determined rental expense will decrease and interest and depreciation will increase.
The Group’s activities as a lessor are not material and hence the Group does not expect any significant impact on the financial statements. AASB 2018-8 1 Jan 2019 AASB 2018-8 provides a temporary option for not-for-profit entities Amendments to to not apply the fair value initial measurement requirements for Australian Accounting right of use assets arising under leases with significant below Standards - Right-of- market terms and conditions principally to enable the entity to use Assets further its objectives.
The Group will continue to record right of use assets at cost. Additional disclosures will be provided in the 2019 financial statements to ensure users understand the effects on the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the Group arising from these leases.
In addition, at the date of authorisation of the financial statements the following IASB Standards and IFRIC Interpretations were on issue but not yet effective, but for which Australian equivalent Standards and Interpretations have not yet been issued:
Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards – 1 January 2020.
12 newcastle.edu.au | 121 122 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(i) Initial application of AASB 9 Financial Instruments
AASB 9 Financial Instruments replaces AASB139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, bringing together all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments: classification and measurement; impairment; and hedge accounting.
(i) Classification and measurement
The adoption of AASB 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 resulted in changes to accounting policies and adjustments to amounts recognised in the financial statements. The new accounting policies are set out in note 15.
The Group has applied AASB 9 retrospectively, with an initial application date of 1 January 2018. In accordance with the transitional provisions of AASB 9, comparative balances have not been restated. Reclassifications and adjustments arising from the new standard are not reflected in the statement of financial position for 31 December 2017 but are recognised in the opening statement of financial position on 1 January 2018.
On 1 January 2018, the Group's management assessed which business models apply to the financial assets held by the Group and have classified its financial instruments into the appropriate AASB 9 categories.
The following tables show the adjustments and impacts recognised for each individual line item included within other financial assets. Line items that are not affected by the changes have not been included. As a result, the sub-totals and totals disclosed cannot be recalculated from the numbers provided below. No adjustments were made to the income statement or statement of other comprehensive income.
13 122 | The University of Newcastle 123 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(i) Initial application of AASB 9 Financial Instruments continued
Consolidated Parent 31 Dec 2017 31 Dec 2017 as originally AASB 9 1 Jan 2018 as originally AASB 9 1 Jan 2018 presented impact restated presented impact restated $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current assets Available-for- sale 54,004 (54,004) - 54,004 (54,004) - Held-to- maturity 470 (470) - 470 (470) - Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss - 54,004 54,004 - 54,004 54,004 Financial assets at amortised cost - 470 470 - 470 470
Total current assets 54,474 - 54,474 54,474 - 54,474 Non-current assets Available-for- sale 438,150 (438,150) - 437,302 (437,302) - Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income - 421,950 421,950 - 421,102 421,102 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income - 16,200 16,200 - 16,200 16,200 Equity Reserves 475,809 (23,169) 452,640 474,246 (22,628) 451,618 Retained earnings 843,069 23,169 866,238 839,625 22,628 862,253
Total Equity 1,318,878 - 1,318,878 1,313,871 - 1,313,871
14 newcastle.edu.au | 123 124 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued
(i) Initial application of AASB 9 Financial Instruments continued
Reclassification from available-for-sale to fair value through profit and loss
Certain investments in shares, managed funds and unlisted investments were reclassified from available-for-sale to financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, as they do not meet the AASB 9 criteria for classification at amortised cost because their cash flows do not represent solely payments of principal and interest. Related fair value gains were transferred from the available-for-sale financial assets reserve to retained earnings on 1 January 2018.
Reclassification from available-for-sale to fair value through other comprehensive income
The Group elected to present in other comprehensive income changes in the fair value of some of its unlisted equity investments previously classified as available-for-sale, because these investments are held as long-term strategic investments that are not expected to be sold in the short to medium term. As a result, assets were reclassified from available-for-sale financial assets to financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, and fair value gains were reclassified from the available-for-sale financial asset reserve to the fair value through other comprehensive income reserve on 1 January 2018.
Reclassification from held-to-maturity to amortised cost
Government bonds that would have previously been classified as held-to-maturity are now classified at amortised cost. The Group intends to hold the assets to maturity to collect contractual cash flows and these cash flows consist solely of payments of principal and interest of the principal amount outstanding. There was no difference between the previous carrying amount and the revised carrying amount of the other financial assets at 1 January 2018 to be recognised in retained earnings.
(ii) Impairment
The Group has the following financial assets that are subject to AASB 9's new expected credit loss model:
Trade receivables from sales and student fee - The Group was required to revise its impairment methodology under AASB 9 for each class of asset. The Group applies the AASB 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected credit loss allowance for all trade receivables. This resulted in an immaterial increase of the loss allowance of 1 January 2018.
While cash and cash equivalents are also subject to the impairment requirements of AASB 9, the identified impairment loss was nil.
15 124 | The University of Newcastle 125 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
2 Australian government financial assistance including Australian Government Loan Programs (HELP)
(a) Commonwealth Grants Scheme and Other Grants Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Commonwealth Grants Scheme#1 221,419 221,209 221,419 221,209 Promotion of Excellence in Learning and Teaching - 108 - 108 Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program 5,773 6,390 5,773 6,390 Disability Performance Funding#2 94 118 94 118 Indigenous Student Success Program#3 3,739 3,535 3,739 3,535 Other 1,250 - 1,250 - Total Commonwealth Grants Scheme and 34(a) Other Grants 232,275 231,360 232,275 231,360
(b) Higher Education Loan Programs HECS - HELP 134,612 126,361 134,612 126,361 FEE - HELP#4 16,838 15,599 16,838 15,599 SA-HELP payments 5,230 4,624 5,230 4,624
Total Higher Education Loan 34(b) Programs 156,680 146,584 156,680 146,584
(c) EDUCATION Research Research Training Programs#5 24,101 23,380 24,101 23,380 Research Support Programs#6 22,207 21,038 22,207 21,038
Total EDUCATION Research 34(c) Grants 46,308 44,418 46,308 44,418
(d) Other Capital Funding Other Capital Funding - 2,228 - 2,228 Total Other Capital Funding 34(e) - 2,228 - 2,228
16 newcastle.edu.au | 125 126 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
2 Australian government financial assistance including Australian Government Loan Programs (HELP) continued
(e) Australian Research Council Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Discovery 9,145 9,586 9,145 9,586 Linkages#7 2,180 2,605 2,180 2,605 Networks and Centres - 2,372 - 2,372
Total Australian Research 34(f) Council 11,325 14,563 11,325 14,563
(f) Other Australian Government financial assistance Non-capital Other Commonwealth Research Grant 9,405 10,542 9,405 10,542 Other Commonwealth Non- Research Grant 13,123 12,931 13,123 12,931 National Health and Medical Research 22,852 19,298 22,852 19,298
Total other Australian Government financial assistance 45,380 42,771 45,380 42,771
Total Australian Government financial assistance 491,968 481,924 491,968 481,924
#1 Commonwealth Grants Scheme (CGS) includes the basic CGS grant amount, Regional Loading, Enabling Loading, Medical Student Loading, Allocated Places and Non Designated Courses.
#2 Disability Performance Funding includes Additional Support for Students with Disabilities and Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education & Training.
#3 Indigenous Student Success Program replaced the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships Program and the Indigenous Support Program as of 1 January 2017.
#4 Higher Education Loan Programs are in respect of FEE-HELP for Higher Education only and exclude funds received in respect of VET FEE-HELP.
#5 Research Training Program has replaced the Australian Postgraduate Awards, International Postgraduate Research Scholarships and Research Training Scheme as of 1 January 2017.
#6 Research Support Program has replaced the Joint Research Engagement, JRE Engineering Cadetships, Research Block Grants and Sustainable Research Excellence in Universities as of 1 January 2017.
#7 ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities grants are reports in (d) Other capital funding (where applicable).
17 126 | The University of Newcastle 127 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
2 Australian government financial assistance including Australian Government Loan Programs (HELP) continued
Accounting Policy
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Amounts disclosed as revenue are net of returns, trade allowances rebates and amounts collected on behalf of third parties.
The Group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Group and specific criteria have been met for each of the Group's activities as described below. The Group bases its estimates on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement. This applies to revenue items recognised in notes 2 through 6.
Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value where the Group obtains control of the right to receive the grant, it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and it can be reliably measured.
Revenue from HELP is categorised into those received from the Australian Government and those received directly from students. Revenue is recognised and measured in accordance with the above disclosure.
3 State and Local Government financial assistance Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Non-capital State Government contributions 1,517 1,935 1,517 1,935 State and Local Government research grant 18,705 12,209 18,705 12,209
Total Non-capital 20,222 14,144 20,222 14,144 Capital State Government capital contributions 131 144 131 144
Total capital 131 144 131 144 Total State and Local Government financial assistance 20,353 14,288 20,353 14,288
Accounting Policy
Contributions and grants from the State and Local Government are recognised at their fair value when the Group obtains control of the right to receive the grant, it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group, and it can be reliable measured.
18 newcastle.edu.au | 127 128 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
4 Fees and charges Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Course Fees and Charges Fee-paying onshore overseas students 113,012 94,917 113,012 94,917 Fee-paying offshore overseas students 8,125 7,140 1,413 1,208 Fee-paying domestic postgraduate students 17,991 17,434 17,991 17,434 Fee-paying domestic undergraduate students 9 23 9 23 Fee-paying domestic non-award students 611 415 611 415 Course and conference fees 3,885 2,661 3,878 2,637
Total Course Fees and Charges 143,633 122,590 136,914 116,634 Other Non-Course Fees and Charges Student Services and Amenities 34 Fees from students 1,614 1,887 1,614 1,887 Library fines 663 832 663 832 Parking fees and fines 3,879 2,928 3,879 2,968 Student accommodation 20,712 20,920 20,712 20,920 Other services 1,871 1,695 1,857 1,695
Total Other Fees and Charges 28,739 28,262 28,725 28,302 Total Fees and Charges 172,372 150,852 165,639 144,936
Accounting Policy
Fees and charges are recognised as income in the year of receipt, except to the extent that fees and charges relate to courses to be held in future periods. Such receipts (or portion thereof) is treated as income in advance in liabilities. Conversely, fees and charges relating to debtors are recognised as revenue in the year to which the prescribed course relates.
19 128 | The University of Newcastle 129 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
5 Investment income
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Interest income 359 766 358 764
Total interest 359 766 358 764 Dividends and Distributions Available for sale financial assets - 39,161 - 39,161 Other financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 31,283 - 31,283 - Other financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 2,714 - 2,714 -
Total dividends and distributions 33,997 39,161 33,997 39,161
Other investment gains/(losses) Net gains/(losses) arising on sale of investments - (33) - (33) Net gain/(loss) arising on other financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss (23,362) - (23,656) - Cumulative gain/(loss) reclassified from equity on disposal of available-for-sale investments - 2,597 - 2,546
Total other investment gains/(losses) (23,362) 2,564 (23,656) 2,513 Total investment revenue and other investment income 10,994 42,491 10,699 42,438
Accounting Policy
Interest
For all financial instruments measured at amortised cost and debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, interest income is recorded using the effective interest rate (EIR). The EIR is the rate that exactly discounts the estimated future cash receipts over the expected life of the financial instrument or a shorter period, where appropriate, to the net carrying amount of the financial asset. Interest income is included in net investment income in the income statement.
Dividends and distributions
Revenue is recognised when (a) the Group's right to receive the payment is established, which is generally when shareholders approve the dividend, (b) it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the dividend will flow to the entity; and (c) the amount of the dividend can be measured reliably.
20 newcastle.edu.au | 129 130 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
6 Consultancy and contracts Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Consultancy 2,695 2,987 2,372 2,719 Contract research Other contract revenue 9,127 9,851 9,126 9,843 Co-operative research centre 3,623 1,628 3,623 1,628 Hunter Medical Research Institute 7,010 7,136 7,010 7,136 Industry research 17,399 19,341 10,602 11,422
Total contract research 37,159 37,956 30,361 30,029 Total consultancy and contracts 39,854 40,943 32,733 32,748
Accounting Policy
For contracts assessed as containing a reciprocal arrangement, revenue is recognised using the percentage of completion method, in accordance with AASB 118 Revenue. The stage of completion is measured by considering actual costs as a percentage of total forecast costs, or other suitable estimate techniques.
Non-reciprocal consultancy and contract arrangements are accounted for in accordance with AASB 1004 Contributions and revenue is recognised at fair value when the Group obtains control of the right to receive the funds, it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group, and it can be reliable measured.
7 Other revenue and income Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Other revenue Donations and bequests 12,048 8,342 12,342 8,406 Other revenue 616 667 532 500 Sale of goods - 807 - 807 Sales, memberships and tickets 3,252 3,489 3,252 3,489 Rebates and commissions from external parties 4,422 2,831 4,422 2,831 Insurance recoveries 1,074 755 1,074 755 Rental revenue 2,239 2,562 2,239 2,562 Sponsorship 2,612 2,732 2,603 2,736 Other related party revenue - - 3,534 3,513 Cost recoveries 9,936 11,383 9,933 11,344
Total other revenue 36,199 33,568 39,931 36,943
Accounting Policy
Other revenue represents miscellaneous income, which is not derived from core operations and is recognised as income when earned.
21 130 | The University of Newcastle 131 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
8 Employee related expenses Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Academic Salaries 162,635 156,998 159,977 154,369 Contributions to superannuation and pension schemes Contributions to funded schemes 29,815 23,572 29,633 23,508 Contributions to unfunded schemes 647 762 647 762 Payroll tax 10,768 10,264 10,768 10,264 Worker's compensation 489 453 489 453 Long service leave 7,267 10,496 7,267 10,496 Annual leave 11,020 9,021 11,032 8,918 Parental leave 2,326 1,252 2,326 1,252 Contract severance 204 116 204 116 Voluntary separation 1,513 2,835 1,513 2,835
Total academic 226,684 215,769 223,856 212,973 Professional and teaching Salaries 147,104 147,555 142,996 143,671 Contributions to superannuation and pension schemes Contributions to funded schemes 28,073 21,933 27,628 21,521 Contributions to unfunded schemes 743 884 743 884 Payroll tax 11,119 10,592 10,892 10,362 Worker's compensation 441 439 422 435 Long service leave expense (758) 1,984 (826) 1,866 Annual leave 12,953 12,730 12,628 12,382 Parental leave 2,195 1,223 2,195 1,223 Contract severance 185 189 185 189 Voluntary separation 1,707 5,829 1,436 5,829
Total non-academic 203,762 203,358 198,299 198,362 Total employee related expenses 430,446 419,127 422,155 411,335 Deferred superannuation expense 33 3,469 2,592 3,469 2,592
Total employee related expenses, including deferred government employee benefits for superannuation 433,915 421,719 425,624 413,927
22 newcastle.edu.au | 131 132 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
8 Employee related expenses continued
Accounting Policy
Contributions to the defined contribution section of the Groups superannuation fund and other independent defined contribution superannuation funds are recognised as an expense as they become payable.
Past service costs are recognised in profit or loss at the earlier of the following dates:
(a) when the plan amendment or curtailment occurs; and
(b) when the entity recognises related restructuring costs or termination benefits.
(i) Short-term obligations
Liabilities for short-term employee benefits including wages and salaries, non-monetary benefits and profit-sharing bonuses are measured at the amount expected to be paid when the liability is settled, if it is expected to be settled wholly before 12 months after the end of the reporting period, and is recognised in other payables. Liabilities for non- accumulating sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken and measured at the rates payable.
(ii) Other long-term obligations
The liability for other long-term benefits are those that are not expected to be settled wholly before twelve months after the end of the annual reporting period. Other long-term employee benefits include such things as annual leave, accumulating sick leave and long service leave liabilities.
It is measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on national government bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
Regardless of the expected timing of settlements, provisions made in respect of employee benefits are classified as a current liability, unless there is an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date, in which case it would be classified as a non-current liability.
(iii) Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, or when an employee accepts an offer of benefits in exchange for the termination of employment. The Group recognises the expense and liability for termination benefits either when it can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when it has recognised costs for restructuring within the scope of AASB 137 that involves the payment of termination benefits. The expense and liability are recognised when the Group is demonstrably committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal or providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy.
Termination benefits are measured on initial recognition and subsequent changes are measured and recognised in accordance with the nature of the employee benefit. Benefits expected to be settled wholly within 12 months are measured at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid. Benefits not expected to be settled before 12 months after the end of the reporting period are discounted to present value. All employees of the Group are entitled to benefits on retirement, disability or death from the Group's Superannuation plan. The Group has a defined benefit section and a defined contribution section within its plan. The defined benefit section provides defined lump sum benefits based on years of service and final average salary. The defined contribution section receives fixed contributions from the Group and the Group's legal or constructive obligation is limited to these contributions. A significant portion of the employee's of the parent entity are members of the defined contribution section of the Group's plan. 23 132 | The University of Newcastle 133 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
9 Depreciation and amortisation Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Depreciation Buildings and infrastructure 24,973 23,446 24,973 23,446 Plant and equipment 20,958 19,264 20,880 19,174
Total depreciation 45,931 42,710 45,853 42,620 Amortisation Intangibles 4,921 3,893 4,895 3,852
Total amortisation 4,921 3,893 4,895 3,852 Total depreciation and amortisation 50,852 46,603 50,748 46,472
Accounting Policy
Property, Plant and Equipment
Land, artworks and rare books are not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight line method to allocate their cost or revalued amounts, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, as follows: Depreciable assets 2018 2017 Buildings and infrastructure 20 - 60 years 20 - 60 years Plant and Equipment 2 - 10 years 2 - 10 years
The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.
An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
Intangible assets
Amortisation has been included within depreciation and amortisation line. The following useful lives are applied for intangible assets with finite useful lives: Amortised assets 2018 2017 Intellectual property 2 - 10 years 2 - 10 years Computer software 1 - 5 years 1 - 5 years
24 newcastle.edu.au | 133 134 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
10 Repairs and maintenance Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Repairs and maintenance - general 22,757 20,469 22,724 20,450 Buildings 8,538 5,837 8,529 5,798
Total repairs and maintenance 31,295 26,306 31,253 26,248
Accounting Policy
Repairs and maintenance costs are recognised as expenses as incurred, except where they relate to the replacement of a component of an asset, in which case the carrying amount of those parts that are replaced is derecognised and the cost of the replacing part is capitalised if the recognition criteria are met. Other routine operating maintenance, repair and minor renewal costs are also recognised as expenses, as incurred.
11 Impairment of assets Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Trade and receivables 222 21 224 87 Intangibles 108 1,271 108 1,271
Total impairment of assets 330 1,292 332 1,358
Accounting Policy
Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Other assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash generating units). Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.
For further information on accounting policies of impairment of financial assets, refer to Note 14 and Note 15.
25 134 | The University of Newcastle 135 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
12 Other expenses Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Advertising, marketing and promotional expenses 6,444 5,032 6,381 4,956 Consumables 27,513 26,467 27,126 26,066 Donations 89 160 89 160 Insurance 2,036 2,237 1,913 2,114 Minor equipment 20,409 17,255 20,170 16,931 Operating lease rental 4,085 4,072 4,075 4,063 Professional services 47,805 42,335 46,203 40,058 Scholarships, grants and prizes 57,369 54,405 58,151 54,359 Telecommunications 3,359 3,801 3,322 3,753 Travel, staff development and entertainment 23,170 21,865 22,650 21,453 Utilities 9,235 8,289 9,230 8,284 Other expenses 35,182 31,811 34,465 31,501
Total other expenses 236,696 217,729 233,775 213,698
Accounting Policy
Operating leases and rental expenses
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases (note 32).
Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis, over the period of the lease.
13 Cash and cash equivalents Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Cash at bank and on hand 13,053 7,179 8,078 2,271 Short-term deposits at call - 10,252 - 10,252
Total cash and cash equivalents 13,053 17,431 8,078 12,523
(a) Cash at bank and on hand
Cash on hand is non-interest bearing. Cash at bank earns floating interest rates between 0.65% and 1.20% (2017:0.65% and 1.20%).
(b) Deposits at call
The deposits are bearing floating interest rates between 0.40% and 1.40% (2017: 0.60% and 1.40%). These deposits have an average maturity of NIL days.
26 newcastle.edu.au | 135 136 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
13 Cash and cash equivalents continued
Accounting Policy
For statement of cash flows presentation purposes, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the statement of financial position.
14 Trade and other receivables Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current Trade receivables 11,719 6,339 10,050 4,604 Student fees 1,126 1,881 1,126 1,881 Less: Provision for impaired receivables (380) (199) (371) (187)
12,465 8,021 10,805 6,298 Prepayments 19,321 18,088 19,200 17,994 Related party receivables - - 957 791 Other receivables 17,321 19,715 17,316 19,705
Total current receivables 49,107 45,824 48,278 44,788
Non-current Deferred government benefit for superannuation 428,427 431,512 428,427 431,512 Other receivables 3,839 2,173 3,756 2,096
Total non-current receivables 432,266 433,685 432,183 433,608 Total receivables 481,373 479,509 480,461 478,396
Set out below is the movement in the allowance for expected credit losses of trade receivables:
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 At 1 January 199 400 187 322 Provision for expected credit losses 380 187 371 187 Write-off (41) (222) (41) (222) Unused amount reversed (158) (166) (146) (100)
At 31 December 380 199 371 187
The information about the credit exposures are disclosed in Note 31 Financial Risk Management.
27 136 | The University of Newcastle 137 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
14 Trade and other receivables continued
Accounting Policy
Classification and measurement
Trade receivables are held to collect contractual cash flows and give rise to cash flows representing solely payments of principal and interest. These are classified and measured as debt instruments at amortised cost. Trade receivables are due for settlement no more than 30 days from the date of recognition.
Impairment
For trade receivables the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating expected credit losses ("ECL's"). Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.
15 Other financial assets Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current Other financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 75,068 - 75,068 - Available-for-sale - 54,004 - 54,004 Held-to-maturity - 470 - 470
Total current other financial assets 75,068 54,474 75,068 54,474
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Non-current Other financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 22,933 - 22,933 - Other financial assets at fair value through profit and loss 400,208 - 400,185 - Available-for-sale - 438,150 - 437,302 Total non-current other financial assets 423,141 438,150 423,118 437,302
Total other financial assets 498,209 492,624 498,186 491,776
Changes in fair values of other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are recorded in investment income in the income statement (note 5).
28 newcastle.edu.au | 137 138 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
15 Other financial assets continued
(a) Equity instruments elected to be at fair value through other comprehensive income
Equity investments at designated fair value through other comprehensive income include Education Australia Ltd. Dividends received/receivable from Education Australia Ltd are recorded in investment income (note 5) in the income statement and during the year amounted to $2.7 million. There were no disposals of other financial assets through other comprehensive income during the year.
Accounting Policy
Financial assets
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI), and fair value through profit or loss.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.
The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the market place (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in three categories:
Other financial assets at amortised costs
Other financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
29 138 | The University of Newcastle 139 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
15 Other financial assets continued
Financial assets at amortised cost
The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:
The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows and
The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
The Group's financial assets at amortised cost includes trade receivables, and loan to related parties.
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
The Group measures debt instruments at fair value through OCI if both of the following conditions are met:
The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling; and
The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding
For debt instruments at fair value through OCI, interest income, foreign exchange revaluation and impairment losses or reversals are recognised in the income statement and computed in the same manner as for financial assets measured at amortised cost. The remaining fair value changes are recognised in OCI. Upon derecognition, the cumulative fair value change recognised in OCI is recycled to profit or loss.
The Group's debt instruments at fair value through OCI includes investments in quoted debt instruments included under other non-current financial assets.
Investments in equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive income
Upon initial recognition, the Group can elect to classify irrevocably its equity investments as equity instruments designated at fair value through OCI when they meet the definition of equity under AASB132 Financial Instruments: Presentation and are not held for trading. The classification is determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis.
Gains and losses on these financial assets are never recycled to profit or loss. Dividends are recognised as other income in the income statement when the right of payment has been established, except when the Group benefits from such proceeds as a recovery of part of the cost of the financial asset, in which case, such gains are recorded in OCI. Equity instruments designated at fair value through OCI are not subject to impairment assessment.
The Group elected to classify irrevocably its non-listed equity investments under this category.
30
newcastle.edu.au | 139 140 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
15 Other financial assets continued
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (including designated)
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss, or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Financial assets with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and interest are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.
Notwithstanding the criteria for debt instruments to be classified at amortised cost or at fair value through OCI, as described above, debt instruments may be designated at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition if doing so eliminates, or significantly reduces, an accounting mismatch.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the income statement.
This category includes derivative instruments and listed equity investments which the Group had not irrevocably elected to classify at fair value through OCI. Dividends on listed equity investments are also recognised as other income in the income statement when the right of payment has been established.
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position) when:
The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired or
The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a 'pass-through' arrangement and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a passthrough arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership.
When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.
Offsetting
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
31 140 | The University of Newcastle 141 FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The University of Newcastle
NOTESNotes to the TO Financial THE StatementsFINANCIAL STATEMENTS ForFOR theTHE Year YEAR Ended ENDED 3131 DECEMBERDecember 20182018
16 Property, plant and equipment continued
(a) Valuations of landCapital and buildings Artwork Works in Plant & and The University's landProgress and buildingsLand were revaluedBuildings at 31Equipment October 2018Libraries by independentInfrastructure valuers CBRE ValuationsTotal Parent Pty Limited. Valuations$'000 for land were$'000 made on$'000 the basis of$'000 sales evidence$'000 and is the estimated$'000 amount $'000for which an asset should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and seller in an arm’s length At 1 January 2017 transaction, after proper marketing and where the parties have acted knowledgeably, prudently and without - Cost compulsion. Buildings109,407 and infrastructure,- which18,040 are of a specialised142,517 educational2,876 nature and rarely777 sold in 273,617the - Valuationopen market, were valued using- industry52,907 construction661,233 rates adjusted- for estimated- useful lives63,625 and proprietary777,765 Accumulateddata of the valuation expert. The revaluation increment net of applicable deferred income taxes was debited to depreciationan andasset revaluation reserve- in equity. - (4,885) (93,130) - (409) (98,424) impairment Net(b) book amountNon-current assets109,407 classified as52,907 held for 674,388sale 49,387 2,876 63,993 952,958 Year ended 31 DecemberAt 2017 31 December 2018, property, plant and equipment assets classified as held for sale were $1.5 million (2017: Nil). Non-current assets held for sale are carried at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs Opening net book to sell. For the fair value109,407 of the non-current52,907 asset674,388 see note 25.49,387 2,876 63,993 952,958 amount Additions 56,267 - - - - - 56,267 Accounting Policy Disposals - (569) (220) (45) - - (834) TransfersLand and buildings are shown(132,045) at fair value, based- on98,673 periodic, but 33,109at least triennial, valuations12 by external251 independent - Revaluation increase valuers, less subsequent depreciation- for 5,419buildings. Any6,693 accumulated depreciation- at the- date of revaluation1,521 is 13,633 recognisedeliminated in equityagainst the gross carrying amount of the asset and the carrying amount is adjusted to the revalued amount Depreciationof the asset. charge All other property, plant- and equipment- (21,033) is stated at historical(19,174) cost less depreciation.- Historical(2,413) cost (42,620) includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Cost may also include gains or losses Closing net book that were recognised in other33,629 comprehensive57,757 income758,501 on qualifying63,277 cash flow hedges2,888 of foreign currency63,352 purchases979,404 of amountproperty, plant and equipment. At 31 December 2017 - CostSubsequent costs are included33,629 in the asset's carrying- 86,308 amount or recognised141,147 as a2,888 separate asset, as1,027 appropriate,264,999 only - Valuationwhen it is probable that future economic- 57,757benefits associated677,343 with the item- will flow to the- Group and62,757 the cost of the797,857 item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the Accumulated financial period in which they are incurred. depreciation and - - (5,150) (77,870) - (432) (83,452) impairment Increases in the carrying amounts arising on revaluation of land and buildings are recognised, net of tax, in other Net book amount 33,629 57,757 758,501 63,277 2,888 63,352 979,404 comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under the heading of revaluation surplus. To the extent that the Yearincrease ended reverses31 a decrease previously recognised in profit or loss, the increase is first recognised in profit or loss. DecemberDecreases 2018 that reverse previous increases of the same asset class are also recognised in other comprehensive Openingincome net to book the extent of the remaining33,629 reserve57,757 attributable758,501 to the asset63,277 class. All other2,888 decreases are63,352 charged to 979,404the amountincome statement. Additions 42,548 17,383 - - - - 59,931 The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting Disposals - (946) (637) (108) - - (1,691) period. Transfers (38,256) - 18,584 10,625 7 9,040 - RevaluationAn asset's increase carrying amount is written- down2,139 immediately33,308 to its recoverable937 amount if the- asset's carrying1,955 amount is38,339 recognisedgreater thanin equity its estimated recoverable amount. Depreciation charge - - (21,958) (20,880) - (3,016) (45,854) ClosingConstruction net book work in progress37,921 76,333 787,798 53,851 2,895 71,331 1,030,129 amount At 31Construction December work 2018 in progress is stated at the aggregate of contract costs incurred to date plus recognised profits less - Costrecognised losses and progress37,921 billings.15,205 If there are contracts9,322 where139,481 progress billings2,895 exceed the aggregate7,666 costs212,490 incurred plus profits less losses, the net amounts are presented under other liabilities. - Valuation - 61,128 783,543 - - 64,194 908,865 Accumulated Contract costs include all costs directly related to specific contracts, costs that are specifically chargeable to the depreciation and - - (5,067) (85,630) - (529) (91,226) customer under the terms of the contract and costs that are attributable to contract activity in general and can be impairment allocated to the contract. Net book amount 37,921 76,333 787,798 53,851 2,895 71,331 1,030,129 34 newcastle.edu.au | 141 142 FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The University of Newcastle
NOTESNotes to the TO Financial THE StatementsFINANCIAL STATEMENTS ForFOR theTHE Year YEAR Ended ENDED 3131 DECEMBERDecember 20182018
16 Property, plant and equipment continued
(a) Valuations of land andCapital buildings Artwork Works in Plant & & The University's land andProgress buildings wereLand revaluedBuildings at 31 OctoberEquipment 2018 by LibrariesindependentInfrastructure valuers CBRE ValuationsTotal ConsolidatedPty Limited. Valuations for$’000 land were$’000 made on the$’000 basis of sales$’000 evidence and$’000 is the estimated$’000 amount for$’000 which an asset should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and seller in an arm’s length At 1 Januarytransaction, 2017 after proper marketing and where the parties have acted knowledgeably, prudently and without - Cost compulsion. Buildings and109,415 infrastructure, which- are18,040 of a specialised143,487 educational2,876 nature and rarely777 sold in 274,595the - Valuation open market, were valued using- industry52,907 construction661,233 rates adjusted for- estimated- useful lives63,625 and proprietary777,765 data of the valuation expert. The revaluation increment net of applicable deferred income taxes was debited to Accumulated depreciation and an asset revaluation reserve in equity.- - (4,885) (93,836) - (409) (99,130) impairment Net book(b) amountNon-current assets classified109,415 as held52,907 for sale674,388 49,651 2,876 63,993 953,230 Year ended 31 December 2017 At 31 December 2018, property, plant and equipment assets classified as held for sale were $1.5 million (2017: Opening netNil). book Non-current amount assets held109,415 for sale are52,907 carried 674,388at the lower of the49,651 carrying amount2,876 or the fair63,993 value less953,230 costs to sell. For the fair value of the non-current asset see note 25. Additions 56,346 - - 49 - - 56,395 Disposals - (569) (220) (45) - - (834) Accounting Policy Transfers (132,124) - 98,673 33,188 12 251 - RevaluationLand and increase buildings are shown at fair value, based on periodic, but at least triennial, valuations by external independent - 5,419 6,693 - - 1,521 13,633 recognisedvaluers, in less equity subsequent depreciation for buildings. Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is Depreciationeliminated charge against the gross carrying amount- of the- asset(21,033) and the carrying(19,264) amount is adjusted- to the (2,413)revalued amount(42,710) of the asset. All other property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost Closingincludes net bookexpenditure amount that is directly33,637 attributable57,757 to the acquisition758,501 of the 63,579items. Cost may2,888 also include63,352 gains or losses979,714 At 31that December were recognised 2017 in other comprehensive income on qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of property, plant and equipment. - Cost 33,637 - 86,308 142,181 2,888 1,027 266,041 - ValuationSubsequent costs are included in the asset's- 57,757carrying amount677,343 or recognised as- a separate- asset, as 62,757appropriate,797,857 only Accumulatedwhen it is depreciationprobable that and future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the - - (5,150) (78,602) - (432) (84,184) impairmentitem can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred. Net book amount 33,637 57,757 758,501 63,579 2,888 63,352 979,714
YearIncreases ended 31 in December the carrying amounts arising on revaluation of land and buildings are recognised, net of tax, in other 2018comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under the heading of revaluation surplus. To the extent that the Openingincrease net reversesbook amount a decrease previously33,637 recognised57,757 in profit758,501 or loss, the63,579 increase is 2,888first recognised in63,352 profit or loss.979,714 Decreases that reverse previous increases of the same asset class are also recognised in other comprehensive Additions 42,548 17,383 - 5 - - 59,936 income to the extent of the remaining reserve attributable to the asset class. All other decreases are charged to the Transfersincome to statementheld for sale. - (946) (637) (108) - - (1,691) Transfers (38,255) - 18,584 10,624 7 9,040 - RevaluationThe assets' increase residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting - 2,139 33,308 937 - 1,955 38,339 recognisedperiod. in equity Depreciation charge - - (21,957) (20,958) - (3,016) (45,931) An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is Closinggreater net than book its amount estimated recoverable37,930 amount.76,333 787,799 54,079 2,895 71,331 1,030,367 At 31 December 2018 - CostConstruction work in progress37,930 15,205 9,322 140,521 2,895 7,666 213,539 - Valuation - 61,128 783,544 - - 64,194 908,866 Construction work in progress is stated at the aggregate of contract costs incurred to date plus recognised profits less Accumulated depreciation and recognised losses and progress billings.- If there are- contracts(5,067) where progress(86,442) billings exceed- the aggregate(529) costs(92,038) impairmentincurred plus profits less losses, the net amounts are presented under other liabilities. Net book amount 37,930 76,333 787,799 54,079 2,895 71,331 1,030,367 Contract costs include all costs directly related to specific contracts, costs that are specifically chargeable to the customer under the terms of the contract and costs that are attributable to contract activity in general and can be allocated to the contract.
34 142 | The University of Newcastle 143 FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The University of Newcastle
NOTESNotes to the TO Financial THE StatementsFINANCIAL STATEMENTS ForFOR theTHE Year YEAR Ended ENDED 3131 DECEMBERDecember 20182018
16 Property, plant and equipment continued
(a) Valuations of land and buildings
The University's land and buildings were revalued at 31 October 2018 by independent valuers CBRE Valuations Pty Limited. Valuations for land were made on the basis of sales evidence and is the estimated amount for which an asset should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and seller in an arm’s length transaction, after proper marketing and where the parties have acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. Buildings and infrastructure, which are of a specialised educational nature and rarely sold in the open market, were valued using industry construction rates adjusted for estimated useful lives and proprietary data of the valuation expert. The revaluation increment net of applicable deferred income taxes was debited to an asset revaluation reserve in equity.
(b) Non-current assets classified as held for sale
At 31 December 2018, property, plant and equipment assets classified as held for sale were $1.5 million (2017: Nil). Non-current assets held for sale are carried at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell. For the fair value of the non-current asset see note 25.
Accounting Policy
Land and buildings are shown at fair value, based on periodic, but at least triennial, valuations by external independent valuers, less subsequent depreciation for buildings. Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the carrying amount is adjusted to the revalued amount of the asset. All other property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Cost may also include gains or losses that were recognised in other comprehensive income on qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of property, plant and equipment.
Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.
Increases in the carrying amounts arising on revaluation of land and buildings are recognised, net of tax, in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under the heading of revaluation surplus. To the extent that the increase reverses a decrease previously recognised in profit or loss, the increase is first recognised in profit or loss. Decreases that reverse previous increases of the same asset class are also recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent of the remaining reserve attributable to the asset class. All other decreases are charged to the income statement.
The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.
An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
Construction work in progress
Construction work in progress is stated at the aggregate of contract costs incurred to date plus recognised profits less recognised losses and progress billings. If there are contracts where progress billings exceed the aggregate costs incurred plus profits less losses, the net amounts are presented under other liabilities.
Contract costs include all costs directly related to specific contracts, costs that are specifically chargeable to the customer under the terms of the contract and costs that are attributable to contract activity in general and can be allocated to the contract.
34 newcastle.edu.au | 143 144 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTESThe TO THE University FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of Newcastle Notes to the Financial Statements NotesNOTESFor the Year to Ended TO the 31THE DecemberFinancial FINANCIAL 2018 Statements STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 For the Year Ended 31 December 2018 17 Intangible Assets
Computer Intellectual 17 Intangible Assets software property Total Parent $'000 $'000 $'000 At 1 January 2017 Cost 18,027 889 18,916 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (7,876) (151) Computer(8,027) Intellectual
Net book amount 10,151 738 10,889software property Total YearParent ended 31 December 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 Opening net book amount 10,151 738 10,889 AdditionsAt 1 January 2017 4,478 406 4,884 DisposalsCost (61) (128) (189)18,027 889 18,916 Work in progress 3,215 3 3,218 AmortisationAccumulated amortisation and impairment (3,689) (163) (3,852)(7,876) (151) (8,027)
ClosingNet booknet book amount amount 14,094 856 14,95010,151 738 10,889 At 31 December 2017 CostYear ended 31 December 2017 22,367 1,098 23,465 AccumulatedOpening amortisation net book and amount impairment (8,273) (242) (8,515)10,151 738 10,889 14,094 856 14,950 NetAdditions book amount 4,478 406 4,884 Year ended 31 December 2018 OpeningDisposals net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 (61) (128) (189) AdditionsWork in progress 7,629 579 8,208 3,215 3 3,218 Disposals (37) (171) (208) WoAmortisationrk in progress 3,762 24 3,786 (3,689) (163) (3,852) Amortisation (4,711) (185) (4,896) Closing net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 Closing net book amount 20,737 1,103 21,840 At At31 December31 December 2018 2017 CostCost 32,944 1,474 34,41822,367 1,098 23,465 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (12,207) (371) (12,578)
NetAccumulated book amount amortisation and impairment 20,737 1,103 21,840 (8,273) (242) (8,515) Net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 Year ended 31 December 2018 Opening net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 Additions 7,629 579 8,208 Disposals (37) (171) (208) Work in progress 3,762 24 3,786 Amortisation (4,711) (185) (4,896)
Closing net book amount 20,737 1,103 21,840 At 31 December 2018 35 144 | TheCost University of Newcastle 32,944 1,474 34,418 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (12,207) (371) (12,578)
Net book amount 20,737 1,103 21,840
35 145 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS The University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NotesNOTESFor the Year to Ended TO the 31THE DecemberFinancial FINANCIAL 2018 Statements STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 For the Year Ended 31 December 2018 17 Intangible Assets continued
Computer Intellectual software Property Total 17 ConsolidatedIntangible Assets $'000 $'000 $'000 At 1 January 2017 Cost 18,104 1,527 19,631 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (7,952) (687) (8,639)
Net book amount 10,152 840 Computer10,992 Intellectual Year ended 31 December 2017 software property Total OpeningParent net book amount 10,152 840 10,992$'000 $'000 $'000 Additions 4,478 422 4,900 DisposalsAt 1 January 2017 (61) (128) (189) WoCostrk in progress 3,215 3 3,21818,027 889 18,916 Amortisation (3,689) (204) (3,893) Accumulated amortisation and impairment (7,876) (151) (8,027) Closing net book amount 14,095 933 15,028 At Net31 December book 2017amount 10,151 738 10,889 Cost 22,431 1,666 24,097 AccumulatedYear ended amortisation 31 December and impairment 2017 (8,336) (733) (9,069) NetOpening book amount net book amount 14,095 933 15,02810,151 738 10,889 Year ended 31 December 2018 4,478 406 4,884 OpeningAdditions net book amount 14,095 933 15,028 AdditionsDisposals 7,630 597 8,227 (61) (128) (189) DisposalsWork in progress (37) (240) (277) 3,215 3 3,218 Work in progress 3,762 24 3,786 AmortisationAmortisation (4,711) (210) (4,921)(3,689) (163) (3,852) Closing net book amount 20,739 1,104 21,843 Closing net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 At 31 December 2018 CostAt 31 December 2017 33,009 1,861 34,870 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (12,270) (757) (13,027) Cost 22,367 1,098 23,465 Net book amount 20,739 1,104 21,843 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (8,273) (242) (8,515) Accounting Policy Net book amount 14,094 856 14,950 Alternately, intangible assets are carried at a revalued amount after initial recognition and are revalued by reference to an Yearactive market ended on a 31regular December basis, so that 2018the carrying amount of the asset does not differ materiality from its fair valueOpening at reporting net date. book amount 14,094 856 14,950 (i) IntellectualAdditions property 7,629 579 8,208
ExpenditureDisposals on intellectual property, being the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design (37) (171) (208) for Wothe productionrk in progress of new or substantially improved products or services before the start of commercial production or use, is capitalised if the product or service is technically and commercially feasible and adequate resources are 3,762 24 3,786 availableAmortisation to complete development. The expenditure capitalised comprises all directly attributable costs, including (4,711) (185) (4,896) costs of materials, services, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads. Other intellectual property expenditure is recognised in the income statement as an expense, when it is incurred. Capitalised expenditure is statedClosing at cost less net accumulated book amount amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the 20,737 1,103 21,840 cost over the period of the expected benefit, which varies from 2 to 10 years. At 31 December 2018 36 Cost newcastle.edu.au | 14532,944 1,474 34,418 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (12,207) (371) (12,578)
Net book amount 20,737 1,103 21,840
35 146 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
17 Intangible Assets continued
(ii) Computer Software
Expenditure on software, being software that is not an integral part of the related hardware, is capitalised. Capitalised expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost over the period of the expected benefit, to a maximum of 5 years.
Internal-use software is capitalised only when the amounts are greater than the Group's capitalisation threshold and they satisfy the conditions for capitalisation. Internal-use software is recognised at cost and amortised over the useful life of 4 years.
18 Trade and other payables Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current Unsecured liabilities OS-HELP Liability to Australian Government 924 1,085 924 1,085 Trade payables 42,866 36,860 41,899 35,778 Related party payables - - 2,504 1,655 Other payables 2,518 2,921 2,333 2,407
Total current trade and other payables 46,308 40,866 47,660 40,925
37 146 | The University of Newcastle 147 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
18 Trade and other payables continued
Foreign currency risk
The carrying amounts of the Group's and parent entity's trade and other payables are denominated in the following currencies: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 000's 000's 000's 000's Australian Dollars 45,285 39,696 47,417 40,306 Chinese Yuan - 2 - 2 Euros 26 36 26 36 Great British Pounds 46 38 46 38 Singaporean Dollars 785 551 5 - Japanese Yen - 6 - 6 US Dollars 163 537 163 537 Philippine Pesos 3 - 3 -
46,308 40,866 47,660 40,925
For an analysis of the sensitivity of trade and other payables to foreign currency risk refer to note 31.
Accounting Policy
Trade and other payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of financial year, which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.
19 Borrowings
(a) Financing arrangements
Unrestricted access was available at reporting date to the following lines of credit: Credit card facilities Total facilities 10,100 10,100 10,000 10,000 Used at balance date (36) (1,462) (6) (1,427)
Unused at balance date 10,064 8,638 9,994 8,573 Bank overdraft facilities Total facilities 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Unused at balance date 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
38 newcastle.edu.au | 147 148 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
20 Provisions Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Current provisions expected to be settled within 12 months Employee benefits Annual leave 17,393 15,072 17,034 14,725 Long service leave 15,319 14,871 15,228 14,767 Contract severance 166 406 166 406 Parental leave 1,857 1,182 1,857 1,182 Unused sick leave 857 870 857 870 Defined benefit obligation 2,021 1,930 2,021 1,930 Redundancy 2,339 6,612 2,068 6,612
39,952 40,943 39,231 40,492 Current provisions expected to be settled after more than 12 months Employee benefits Annual leave 4,823 5,802 4,657 5,654 Long service leave 50,781 53,073 50,447 52,691 Employment on-costs provision 2,558 2,371 2,558 2,371
58,162 61,246 57,662 60,716 Total current provisions 98,114 102,189 96,893 101,208
Non-current provisions Employee benefits Long service leave 13,965 14,032 13,726 13,817 Provision for employee benefits 31,948 32,101 31,948 32,101 Defined benefit obligation 428,427 431,512 428,427 431,512
Total non-current provisions 474,340 477,645 474,101 477,430
Total provisions 572,454 579,834 570,994 578,638
Accounting Policy
Provisions for redundancies, legal claims and service warranties are recognised when: the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated.
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.
Provisions are measured at the present value of management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the
39 148 | The University of Newcastle 149 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
20 Provisions continued
present obligation at the end of the reporting period. The discount rate pre-tax used to determine the present value reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.
21 Other liabilities Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current State Government unspent grants 12,000 20,000 12,000 20,000 Income received in advance 25,386 24,791 24,451 23,679
Total current other liabilities 37,386 44,791 36,451 43,679
22 Reserves and retained earnings
(a) Reserves Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Reserves Property, plant and equipment revaluation surplus 473,903 435,564 473,903 435,564 Foreign currency translation surplus 1,261 1,022 - - Fair value adjustment assets- available-for-sale reserve - 39,359 - 38,818 Defined benefit actuarial assumptions reserve 1,347 (136) 1,347 (136) FVOCI reserve 22,923 - 22,923 -
Total reserves 499,434 475,809 498,172 474,246
40 newcastle.edu.au | 149 150 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
22 Reserves and retained earnings continued
Movements Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Foreign currency translation surplus Balance 1 January 1,022 1,030 - - Currency translation differences arising during the year 239 (8) - -
Balance 31 December 1,261 1,022 - - Property, plant and equipment revaluation surplus Balance 1 January 435,564 423,950 435,564 423,950 Revaluation increment / 16 (decrement) 38,339 13,633 38,339 13,633 Transfer to retained earnings - (2,019) - (2,019)
Balance 31 December 473,903 435,564 473,903 435,564 Available-for-sale investments revaluation Balance 1 January 39,359 22,468 38,818 21,918 Revaluation increment / (decrement) - 19,517 - 19,526 Reclassification on adoption of AASB9 - FVOCI (16,190) - (16,190) - Reclassification on adoption of AASB9 - Retained earnings (23,170) - (22,629) - Reclassification to profit and loss - (2,626) - (2,626)
Balance 31 December - 39,359 - 38,818 Defined benefit actuarial remeasurements Balance 1 January (136) (1,186) (136) (1,186) Revaluation increment / (decrement) 1,483 1,050 1,483 1,050
Balance 31 December 1,347 (136) 1,347 (136) FVOCI reserve Reclassification on adoption of AASB9 16,190 - 16,190 - Revaluation increment / (decrement) 6,733 - 6,733 -
Balance 31 December 22,923 - 22,923 - Total reserves 499,434 475,809 498,172 474,246
41
150 | The University of Newcastle 151 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
22 Reserves and retained earnings continued
Movements in retained earnings were as follows: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Retained earnings at 1 January 843,069 783,659 839,625 780,019 Net result for the period 24,660 57,391 24,795 57,587 Transfer from reserves 23,170 2,019 22,629 2,019
Retained earnings at end of the financial year 890,899 843,069 887,049 839,625
(b) Nature and purpose of reserves
Foreign currency translation surplus: exchange differences arising on translation of the foreign controlled entity are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate reserve within equity. The cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net investment is disposed.
Fair Value of Other Comprehensive Income (FVOCI) reserve: changes in the fair value and exchange differences arising on translation of investments, such as equities, classified as fair value through other comprehensive income, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate reserve within equity. Amounts are reclassified to the income statement when the associated assets are sold or impaired.
Property, plant and equipment revaluation: used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of property, plant and equipment. In the event of a sale of an asset, any balance in the reserve in relation to the asset is transferred to retained earnings.
Available-for-sale investments revaluation: changes in the fair value and exchange differences arising on translation of investments, such as equities, classified as available-for-sale financial assets, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate reserve within equity. Amounts are reclassified to the income statement when the associated assets are sold or impaired.
Defined benefit actuarial remeasurements: actuarial remeasurements arising on valuation of the pension are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate reserve within equity.
42 newcastle.edu.au | 151 152 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year EndedTO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
23 Key Management Personnel Disclosures
(a) Names of responsible persons and executive officers
The following persons were responsible persons and executive officers of Group during the financial year:
Mr Paul Jeans Professor Caroline McMillen - resigned 12/10/2018 Professor Alex Zelinsky AO - appointed 19/11/2018 Ms Dianne Allen Professor Mark Jones Conjoint Professor Geoff Lillis Ms Deborah Wright - resigned 16/03/2018 Mr Robert Kennedy Ms Michelle McPherson Professor Pablo Moscato - resigned 31/08/2018 Dr Roslyn Larkin Ms Jann Gardner Mr John Bowers Mr Doug Dean AM Mr Michael Robertson - resigned 31/08/2018 Ms Julie Phillips Associate Professor Brendan Boyle - appointed 01/09/2018 Dr Kylie Twyford - appointed 01/09/2018 Mr Bhavi Ravindran - appointed 01/01/2018 Professor Kevin Hall - appointed as acting Vice-Chancellor 30/08/2018- 18/11/2018
(b) Other key management personnel
The following persons were members of the Executive Committee of the University of Newcastle and as such had authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group during the financial year:
Professor Caroline McMillen - resigned 12/10/2018 Professor Alex Zelinsky AO - appointed 19/11/2018 Mr Nat McGregor Professor Kevin Hall Laureate Professor John Aitken Professor Liz Burd Mr Paul Dunn Mrs Winnie Eley - resigned 21/09/2018 Professor John Germov - resigned 01/11/2018 Professor Deborah Hodgson Professor Brett Ninness Professor Darrell Evans Professor Lee Smith Professor Tony Travaglione Professor Brian Kelly - appointed 29/09/2018 and resigned 16/11/2018 Mr Dary Milani - appointed 10/09/2018 Professor John Fischetti - appointed 08/10/2018
152 | The University of Newcastle 43 153 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
23 Key Management Personnel Disclosures continued
(c) Remuneration of Board Members and Executives Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017
Remuneration of council members $nil to $9,999 4 3 4 3 $10,000 to $19,999 3 6 3 6 $20,000 to $29,999 3 1 3 1 $40,000 to $49,999 - 1 - 1 $50,000 to $59,999 2 - 2 - $80,000 to $89,999 1 - 1 - $100,000 to $109,999 1 - 1 - $110,000 to $119,999 1 - 1 - $140,000 to $149,999 1 1 1 1 $150,000 to $159,999 1 - 1 - $170,000 to $179,999 1 - 1 - $180,000 to $189,999 - 1 - 1 $210,000 to $219,999 - 1 - 1 $260,000 to $269,999 - 1 - 1 $340,000 to $349,999 1 - 1 - $870,000 to $879,999 - 1 - 1 $980,000 to $989,000 1 - 1 -
20 16 20 16
Remuneration of executive officers $60,000 to $69,999 - 2 - 2 $70,000 to $79,999 1 - 1 - $80,000 to $89,999 - 1 - 1 $100,000 to $109,999 3 - 3 - $270,000 to $279,999 - 1 - 1 $300,000 to $309,999 - 1 - 1 $330,000 to $339,999 1 1 1 1 $350,000 to $359,999 - 1 - 1 $360,000 to $369,999 - 2 - 2 $380,000 to $389,999 - 2 - 2 $390,000 to $399,999 2 - 2 - $400,000 to $409,999 1 1 1 1 $410,000 to $419,999 1 - 1 - $430,000 to $439,999 2 1 2 1 $460,000 to $469,999 2 - 2 - $470,000 to $479,999 - 1 - 1 $500,000 to $509,999 - 1 - 1 $580,000 to $589,999 2 - 2 - $600,000 to $609,999 1 - 1 - $870,000 to $879,999 - 1 - 1 $980,000 to $989,999 1 - 1 -
17 16 17 16
Remuneration bands for the Vice-Chancellor appear in both tables in note 23(c) as this position is a member of both Council and Executive Committee.
newcastle.edu.au | 15344 154 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
23 Key Management Personnel Disclosures continued
(d) Key management personnel compensation Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Short-term employee benefits 6,172 5,846 6,172 5,846 Post-employment benefits 1,315 798 1,315 798 Termination benefits 484 - 484 -
Total key management personnel compensation 7,971 6,644 7,971 6,644
24 Remuneration of Auditors
During the year, the following fees were paid for services provided by the auditor of the parent entity, its related practices and non-related audit firms: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $ $ $ $ Audit the Financial Statements Audit Office of NSW 360,000 352,700 288,000 282,500 PwC Singapore 38,322 43,502 - -
Total paid for audit 398,322 396,202 288,000 282,500
Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $ $ $ $
Other services DFK Crosbie 9,500 9,500 9,500 9,500
Total paid for other services 9,500 9,500 9,500 9,500
Other services provided by DFK Crosbie include the audit of the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) return.
45 154 | The University of Newcastle 155 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
25 Fair Value Measurement
(a) Fair value measurements
The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement or for disclosure purposes.
Due to the short-term nature of the cash and cash equivalents and current receivables, their carrying value approximates their fair value and based on credit history it is expected that the receivables that are neither past due nor impaired will be received when due. Similarly, the carrying value of trade and other payables is also expected to approximate fair value.
The carrying amounts and aggregate fair values of financial assets and liabilities at balance date are:
Carrying Amount Fair Value 2018 2017 2018 2017 Consolidated Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Other financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 15 income 22,933 - 22,933 - Other financial assets at fair value 15 through profit or loss 475,276 - 475,276 - Held-to-maturity 15 - 470 - 470 Available-for-sale 15 - 492,154 - 492,154
Total 498,209 492,624 498,209 492,624
The Group measures and recognises the following assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis:
financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
available-for-sale financial assets
financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
land and buildings
(b) Fair value hierarchy
The Group categorises assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a hierarchy based on the level of inputs used in measurement. Level 1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs)
46 newcastle.edu.au | 155 156 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
25 Fair Value Measurement continued
(b) Fair value hierarchy continued
(i) Recognised fair value measurements
Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial position are categorised into the following levels at 31 December 2018.
Fair value measurements at 31 December 2018 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Consolidated Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Recurring fair value measurements Financial assets Other financial assets at fair value 15 through other comprehensive income 22,933 - 22,933 - Other financial assets at fair value 15 through profit and loss 475,276 - 475,276 -
Total financial assets 498,209 - 498,209 -
Non-financial assets Land and buildings 16 Land 16 61,128 - 61,128 - Building 16 783,544 - 1,560 781,984 Infrastructure 16 64,194 - - 64,194
Total non-financial assets 908,866 - 62,688 846,178
Fair value measurements at 31 December 2017 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Consolidated Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Recurring fair value measurements Financial assets Available-for-sale financial assets 15 492,154 - 492,154 -
Total financial assets 492,154 - 492,154 -
Non-financial assets Land, buildings and infrastructure 16 Land 16 57,757 - 57,757 - Buildings 16 677,343 - 1,450 675,893 Infrastructure 16 62,757 - - 62,757
Total non-financial assets 797,857 - 59,207 738,650
47 156 | The University of Newcastle 157 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
25 Fair Value Measurement continued
(b) Fair value hierarchy continued
There were no transfers between levels 1 and 2 for recurring fair value measurements during the year.
There were no transfers between levels 2 and 3 for recurring fair value measurements during the year:
The Group's policy is to recognise transfers into and transfers out of fair value hierarchy levels as at the end of the reporting period.
(c) Valuation techniques used to derive level 2 and level 3 fair values
(i) Recurring fair value measurements
The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is determined using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.
If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3. This is the case for unlisted equity securities.
The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance date. Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments include: the use of quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments; the fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield curves; the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using forward exchange rates at the end of the reporting period; other techniques, such as discounted cash flow analysis, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial instruments.
All of the resulting fair value estimates are included in level 2 except for buildings and infrastructure which are explain below:
Buildings and infrastructure (classified as property, plant and equipment) are assessed at least every three years. At the end of each reporting period, the Group updates their assessment of the fair value of each property, taking into account the most recent independent valuations. The Group determines the property's value within a range of reasonable fair value estimates.
The best evidence of fair values is current prices in an active market for similar properties. Where such information is not available, the Group considers information from a variety of sources, including: current prices in an active market for properties of different nature or recent prices of similar properties in less active markets, adjusted to reflect those differences. discounted cash flow projections based on reliable estimates of future cash flows capitalised income projections based on a property's estimated net market income, and a capitalisation rate derived from an analysis of market evidence.
All resulting fair value estimates for properties are included in level 3 except for vacant land, while buildings are split between both Level 2 and Level 3. 48 newcastle.edu.au | 157 158 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
25 Fair Value Measurement continued
(d) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (level 3)
The following table is a reconciliation of level 3 items for the periods ended 31 December 2018 and 2017. Consolidated Level 3 Fair Value Infrastructure Buildings Total Measurement 2018 $'000 $'000 $'000 Opening balance 62,757 675,893 738,650 Transfers - 9,262 9,262 Depreciation (518) 63,631 63,113 Recognised in other comprehensive income 1,955 33,198 35,153
Closing balance 64,194 781,984 846,178
Consolidated Level 3 Fair Value Infrastructure Buildings Total Measurement 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 Opening balance 63,625 659,673 723,298 Transfers - 12,365 12,365 Depreciation (2,389) (2,818) (5,207) Recognised in other comprehensive income 1,521 6,673 8,194
Closing balance 62,757 675,893 738,650
(i) Valuation inputs and relationships to fair value
The following table summarises the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in level 3 fair value measurements. See (c) above for the valuation techniques adopted.
Consolidated Description Fair value at Unobservable Range of Relationship of 31 December inputs* inputs unobservable inputs to 2018 (probability fair value $'000 weighted average) Increase term of useful life by 5% would increase fair Remaining value by $39 million. Buildings 781,984 +/- 5% useful life Decrease term of useful life by 5% would decrease fair value by $39 million Increase term of useful life by 5% would increase fair Remaining value by $3.2 million. Infrastructure 64,194 +/- 5% useful life Decrease term of useful life by 5% would decrease fair value by $3.2 million.
*There were no significant inter-relationship between unobservable inputs that materially affects fair value.
49 158 | The University of Newcastle 159 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
25 Fair Value Measurement continued
Accounting Policy
Fair value
The fair values of investments and other financial assets are based on quoted prices in an active market. If the market for a financial asset is not active (and for unlisted securities), the Group establishes fair value by using valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant data. These include reference to the estimated price in an orderly transaction that would take place between market participants at the measurement date. Other valuation techniques used are the cost approach and the income approach based on the characteristics of the asset and the assumptions made by market participants.
The Group classifies fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements.
The fair value of assets or liabilities traded in active markets (such as publicly traded derivatives, and equity investments) is based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities at the end of the reporting period (level 1). The quoted market price used for assets held by the Group is the most representative of fair value in the circumstances within the bid-ask spread.
The fair value of assets or liabilities that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance date. Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments (level 2) are used for long-term debt instruments held. Other techniques that are not based on observable market data (level 3), such as estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair value for the remaining assets and liabilities. The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The fair value of forward exchange contracts is determined using forward exchange market rates at the end of the reporting period. The level in the fair value hierarchy is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Fair value measurement of non-financial assets is based on the highest and best use of the asset. The Group considers market participants use of, or purchase of, the asset to use it in a manner that would be highest and best use.
The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar financial instruments.
26 Interests in other entities
(a) Subsidiaries
The Group’s principal subsidiaries at 31 December 2018 are set out below in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 1(b). The proportion of ownership interest held by the Group equals the voting rights held by the Group. The country of incorporation or registration is also their principal place of business.
50 newcastle.edu.au | 159 160 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
26 Interests in other entities continued
(a) Subsidiaries continued Ownership interest Principal place of 2018 2017 Name of entity business % % The University of Newcastle Research Australia 100.00 100.00 Associates Ltd, company limited by guarantee UON Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore 100.00 100.00
(i) Significant restrictions
Cash and short-term deposits held in Singapore are subject to local exchange control regulations. These regulations provide for restrictions on exporting capital from Singapore, other than through normal dividends.
The carrying amount of the assets included within the consolidated financial statements to which these restrictions apply is $3.86 million (2017: $3.75 million).
(b) Interests in associates
Set out below are the associates of the Group as at 31 December 2018. The proportion of ownership interest held by the Group equals the voting rights held by the Group. The country of incorporation or registration is also their principal place of business. Principal Ownership place of Measurement interest/voting rights Name of entity business method held by the Group Carrying amount 2018 2017 2018 2017 % % $'000 $'000 Hunter Medical Research Institute1 Australia Equity method 25.00 25.00 - - NUSport2 Australia Equity method 27.00 27.00 - - Mineral Carbonation International3 Australia Equity method 30.00 30.00 3 3 ResTech4 Australia Equity method 30.00 30.00 216 198
1 Hunter Medical Research Institute is a company limited by guarantee, whose constitution prohibits the distribution of funds to its members. Accordingly the carrying amount has been equity accounted at nil value and as such no financial information has been disclosed. Hunter Medical Research Institute has a 31 December reporting period.
2 NUSport is a company limited by guarantee, whose constitution prohibits the distribution of funds to its members. Accordingly the carrying amount has been equity accounted at nil value and as such no financial information has been disclosed. NUSport has a 31 December reporting period.
3 Mineral Carbonation International Pty Limited is classified as non-current asset held for sale at 31 December 2018. It is recorded at the lower of its carrying value and fair value less cost to sell.
4 ResTech Pty Limited is an associate acquired in 2007. For the purposes of the University’s financial statements, the University’s equity interest is based on the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018.
51 160 | The University of Newcastle 161 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
27 Related Parties
(a) Parent entities
The ultimate parent entity within the Group is The University of Newcastle.
(b) Subsidiaries
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 26.
(c) Key management personnel
Disclosures relating to directors and specified executives are set out in note 23.
(d) Transactions with related parties
The following transactions occurred with related parties: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 i) Subsidiaries: Sale of goods and services Service fees - - 3,117 2,963 Consultancy, consumables and others - - 827 932 Other revenue - - 6 60 Purchase of goods Other expenses - - 944 306 Other transactions Interest expense - - 46 46 ii) Associates Sale of goods and services Consultancy and contracts 7,492 8,326 7,300 7,151 Other revenue 558 1,031 558 1,031 Purchase of goods Other expenses 6,157 5,445 6,154 5,445 Other transactions Interest income 26 31 26 31
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27 Related Parties continued
(e) Loans to/from related parties Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Loans to / (from) subsidiaries Beginning of the year 18 - - (864) 768 Loans advanced 18 - - 4,190 3,549 Loan repayment received 18 - - (4,833) (5,141) Interest charged - - - (40) Interest received 18 - - (40) -
End of year 18 - - (1,547) (864)
Loans to / (from) associates Beginning of the year 450 524 450 524 Loan repayments received (105) (105) (105) (105) Interest received 26 31 26 31
End of year 371 450 371 450
No expected credit losses (impairment) has been raised in relation to any outstanding balances, and no expense has been recognised in respect of bad or doubtful debts due from related parties.
(f) Outstanding balances
The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties:
53 162 | The University of Newcastle 163 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
27 Related Parties continued
(f) Outstanding balances continued Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Current receivables (sale of goods and services) Subsidiaries - - 104 51 Associates 1,051 485 839 485 Current receivables (investments held) Subsidiaries - - 14 343
Total current receivables 1,051 485 957 879 Non-current receivables (loans) Current payables (purchase of goods and services) Subsidiaries - - 24 4 Associates 84 9 84 9 Current payables (other transactions) Subsidiaries - - 18 6
Total current payables 84 9 126 19
No provisions for impairment have been raised in relation to any outstanding balances, and no expense has been recognised in respect of bad or doubtful debts due from related parties.
(g) Terms and Conditions of Outstanding Balances
All transactions with related parties occurred on the basis of normal commercial terms and conditions.
54 newcastle.edu.au | 163 164 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
28 Contingencies
Contingent liabilities (i) Bank guarantee Group has $2.26 million bank guarantees predominantly being security for a rental bond which expires on 31 May 2027 (2017: $2.26 million).
(ii) Excess salaries In February 2015, the Department of Education formalised the agreement between the Commonwealth, the NSW State Government and each University in respect to the funding arrangements for the State Superannuation funds and the method of calculation and recovery by the State Trustee for excess salaries. At 31 December 2018, the University has a possible obligation to compensate the State Trustee in respect of excess salaries that have not yet been crystallised by the retirement of SASS or SSS members. The obligation will only be confirmed at the time that the member exits the fund and where the member’s final pensionable salary is in excess of the member’s notional salary. The estimated potential expense at 31 December 2018 is $0.49 million (2017: $0.33 million).
Contingent assets At 31 December 2018, the Group had no contingent assets (2017: Nil).
29 Reconciliation of net result after income tax to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Net result for the period 24,660 57,388 24,795 57,583 Depreciation and amortisation 50,852 46,603 50,748 46,472 Impairment on intangible assets 108 1,271 108 1,271 Net (gain) / loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 140 270 140 270 Net exchange differences (68) (6) - - Net (gain) / loss on disposal of financial assets 23,192 (2,564) 23,656 (2,513) Net amortisation of bond premiums (discounts) - 1 - 1 Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of controlled entity: (Increase) / decrease in trade debtors (8,863) (2,971) (8,929) (1,944) (Increase) / decrease in other receivables 6,921 (25,562) 6,950 (25,437) (Increase) / decrease in related party receivables - - (166) (23) (Increase) / decrease in inventories 16 (37) 16 (37) (Increase) / decrease in other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (25,402) (29,535) (25,572) (29,535) Increase / (decrease) in trade creditors 6,264 (10,000) 6,232 (10,423) Increase / (decrease) in other operating liabilities (7,957) 7,868 (7,664) 8,822 Increase / (decrease) in related party payables - - 856 1,655 Increase / (decrease) in other provisions (5,899) 17,683 (6,160) 17,754
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 63,964 60,409 65,010 63,916 55 164 | The University of Newcastle 165 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
30 Events Occurring After the Reporting Date
No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future financial years.
31 Financial Risk Management
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group. The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge certain risk exposures. The Group uses different methods to measure different types of risk to which it is exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case of interest rate, foreign exchange and other price risks, ageing analysis for credit risk and beta analysis in respect of investment portfolios to determine market risk.
Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury) under policies approved by The University Council. Group Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group’s operating units. The University Council provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity.
(a) Market risk
(i) Foreign exchange risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to the Singapore and US dollars.
Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.
Management has set up a policy requiring Group companies to manage their foreign exchange risk against their functional currency.
The Group Treasury’s risk management position is not to hedge the cash flows at present, because the amount of exposure has been determined to be immaterial in terms of the possible impact on the income statement or total equity.
(ii) Price risk
The Group and the parent entity are exposed to price risk arising from available-for-sale investments on the statement of financial position. Neither the Group nor the parent entity is exposed to commodity price risk.
To manage its price risk arising from other financial assets, the Group diversifies its portfolio. Diversification of the portfolio is in accordance with the limits set by the Group.
(iii) Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
At 31 December 2018, the Group has no long-term borrowings, it is only subject to cash flow and interest rate risk on its cash and cash equivalents.
56
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31 Financial Risk Management continued
(iv) Summarised sensitivity analysis
The following tables summarise the sensitivity of the Group's financial assets and financial liabilities to interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and other price risk.
31 December 2018 Interest rate risk Foreign exchange risk Other price risk -1% +1% -10% +10% -15% +15%
Carrying Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity amount $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Financial assets Cash and Cash Equivalents - at bank 13,053 (131) (131) 131 131 (387) (387) 387 387 - - - - Receivables 48,289 ------Financial assets 498,209 ------(74,731) - 74,731
Financial liabilities Payables 46,226 - - - - (23) (23) 23 23 - - - - Total increase/(decrease) (131) (131) 131 131 (410) (410) 410 410 - (74,731) - 74,731
31 December 2017 Interest rate risk Foreign exchange risk Other price risk -1% +1% -10% +10% -15% +15%
Carrying Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity amount $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Financial assets Cash and Cash Equivalents - at bank 17,431 (174) (174) 174 174 (375) (375) 375 375 - - - - Receivables 42,786 ------Financial assets 492,154 ------(73,823) - 73,823 Financial assets - Held to maturity 470 (5) (5) 5 5 ------
Financial liabilities Payables 40,231 - - - - (117) (117) 117 117 - - - - Total increase/(decrease) (179) (179) 179 179 (492) (492) 492 492 - (73,823) - 73,823
(b) Credit risk
Credit risk is managed on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, and deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to wholesale and retail customers, including outstanding receivables and committed transactions. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum rating of ‘BBB+’ are accepted. If wholesale customers are independently rated, these ratings are used. Otherwise, if there is no independent rating, risk control assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. Individual risk limits are set based on internal or external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Council. Fees from students are settled in cash or using major credit cards, mitigating credit risk.
The carrying amount of financial assets (as contained in the table in subnote 25(a)) represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk.
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31 Financial Risk Management continued
An entity shall disclose for such assets held at the reporting date: (a) the nature and carrying amount of the assets and (b) when the assets are not readily convertible into cash, its policies for disposing of such assets or for using them in its operations.
Receivables
Credit risk is managed at group level subject to the Group’s established policy, procedures and control relating to credit risk management. Credit quality of a customer is assessed based on individual credit limits. Outstanding receivables are regularly monitored.
An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure expected credit losses. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of various customer segments with similar loss patterns (i.e., by geographical region, product type, customer type and rating). The calculation reflects the probability-weighted outcome, the time value of money and reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Generally, trade receivables are written-off if past due for more than one year and are not subject to enforcement activity. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of financial assets disclosed in the notes above.
The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to trade receivables as low.
Set out below is the information about the credit risk exposure on the Group's receivables using an expected credit loss matrix: 31 December 2018 Trade receivables Current Day past due Total <30 days 30-60 days 61-90 days 91-120 days >120 days $ $ $ $ $ $ $
UON - General Debtors Expected credit loss rate - 0.02% 0.06% 0.15% 25.73% 1.23% Gross carrying amount - trade receivables 5,800,592 1,788,632 1,297,705 407,404 1,086,478 121,273 10,502,084 Loss allowance - 339 783 603 279,560 1,495 282,780
UON - Student Debtors Expected credit loss rate 0.32% 1.42% 3.21% 8.35% 18.53% 19.77% Gross carrying amount - trade receivables 542,221 36,120 33,186 114,374 261,593 133,926 1,121,420 Loss allowance 1,737 512 1,067 9,553 48,462 26,471 87,802
TUNRA - Domestic Debtors Expected credit loss rate - 0.50% 5.00% 7.50% 10.00% - Gross carrying amount - trade receivables 90,981 320,687 16,390 - 7,260 - 435,318 Loss allowance - 1,603 819 - 726 - 3,148
TUNRA - International Debtors Expected credit loss rate - 0.05% 7.50% 10.00% 15.00% Gross carrying amount - trade receivables 168,577 45,225 - - 43,500 - 257,302 Loss allowance - 21 - - 6,525 - 6,546 Total loss allowance 380,276
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31 Financial Risk Management continued
Financial instruments and cash deposits
Credit risk from balances with banks and financial institutions is managed by Group in accordance with Group's policy. Investments of surplus funds are made only with approved counterparties and within credit limits assigned to each counterparty. Counterparty credit limits are reviewed by the Council on an annual basis, and may be updated throughout the year subject to approval of Group's Finance Committee. The limits are set to minimise the concentration of risks and therefore mitigate financial loss through a counterparty's potential failure to make payments.
(c) Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities and the availability of funding through adequate credit facilitates to meet obligations when they fall due. At the end of the reporting period the Group held cash of $13 million and had available a facility of $10 million to manage liquidity risk. Management regularly monitors rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity reserve and cash and cash equivalents on the basis of expected cash flows.
For details of the Group's financing arrangements unused at balances date refer to Note 19.
The Group's financial liabilities are trade and other payables which were $46.3 million at year end (2017:$40.1 million). All liabilities are no interest bearing and have a maturity date of less than 12 months.
32 Commitments
(a) Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities is as follows: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Property, plant and equipment Within one year 31,421 11,782 31,421 11,782
Total property, plant and equipment commitments 31,421 11,782 31,421 11,782
(b) Lease commitments
(i) Operating Leases
Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Within one year 5,776 6,635 5,420 6,278 Between one year and five years 7,703 13,167 7,561 12,733 Later than five years 95 263 95 263
Total future minimum lease payments 13,574 20,065 13,076 19,274
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32 Commitments continued
(c) Other commitments
Other commitments including unspent research grants contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities is as follows: Consolidated Parent 2018 2017 2018 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Within one year 68,534 57,433 68,534 57,433
Total other commitments 68,534 57,433 68,534 57,433
Accounting Policy
Operating leases
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases (note 32(b)).
Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis, over the period of the lease.
Finance leases
Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group, as lessee, has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the lease's inception at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, are included in other short-term and long-term payables. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term.
33 Defined Benefits Plans
(a) Fund specific disclosure
The University of Newcastle incurs an obligation for deferred contributions which become payable on and after retirement of staff in respect of the following defined benefit schemes:
NSW State Superannuation Scheme (SSS)
NSW State Authorities Superannuation Scheme (SASS)
NSW State Authorities Non-Contributory Superannuation Scheme (SANCS)
Pension entitlements arising from the former University of Newcastle Staff Superannuation Scheme
The University expects to make a contribution of $1.33 million (2017: $1.62 million) to the defined benefit plan during the next financial year.
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33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
(a) Fund specific disclosure continued
The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 11 years (2017: 11 years). The expected maturity analysis of undiscounted benefit payments is as follows: Between 1 Between 2 Less than and 2 and 5 Over 5 1 year years years years Total $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Defined benefit obligations - 31 December 2018 28,671 28,468 82,155 386,061 525,355 Defined benefit obligations - 31 December 2017 30,782 29,620 85,418 417,136 562,956 Pension benefit obligations - 31 December 2018 2,105 2,304 6,634 25,769 36,812 Pension benefit obligations - 31 December 2017 2,055 2,298 6,676 27,450 38,479
(b) Categories of plan assets
The analysis of the plan assets at the end of the reporting period is as follows: 2018 (%) 2017 (%) Active Market Active Market Australian equities 19.30 22.40 International equities 26.20 29.60 Australian fixed interest 5.60 6.90 International fixed interest 3.50 3.60 Property 8.90 8.70 Short-term securities 9.80 9.50 Alternatives 26.70 19.30
Total 100.00 100.00
The principal assumptions used for the purposes of the actuarial valuations were as follows (expressed as weighted averages): 2018 2017 % % Discount rate(s) 2.33 2.65 Expected rate(s) of CPI increase 2.00 2.25 Expected rate(s) of salary increase 2.70 2.50
(c) Actuarial assumptions and sensitivity
The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to change in the significant assumptions is: Change in assumption Impact on defined benefit obligation Increase in assumption Decrease in assumption Discount rate 1.00 % Decrease by 9.39% Increase by 11.19% Salary growth rate 0.50 % Increase by 5.42% Decrease by 5.00% Salary growth rate 0.50 % Increase by 0.24% Decrease by 0.23%
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33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
(c) Actuarial assumptions and sensitivity continued
The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in an assumption while holding all the other assumptions constant. In practice this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial assumptions the same method has been applied as when calculating the defined benefit liability recognised in the statement of financial position.
The methods and types of assumptions used in the preparation of the sensitivity analysis did not change compared to the prior period.
(d) Statement of financial position amounts
Amounts recognised in the statement of financial $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 position - 2018 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Liabilities Provision for deferred government benefits for superannuation - 4,497 413,164 10,766 428,427 Provision for pension entitlements 29,297 - - - 29,297 add: On-costs on pension entitlements 4,672 - - - 4,672
Total liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position 33,969 4,497 413,164 10,766 462,396 Assets Receivable for deferred government benefit for superannuation - 4,497 413,164 10,766 428,427
Total assets recognised in the statement of financial position - 4,497 413,164 10,766 428,427 Net liability recognised in the statement of financial position 33,969 - - - 33,969
Net liability reconciliation - $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 2018 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Defined benefit obligation 29,297 6,664 427,205 43,652 506,818 Fair value of plan assets - (2,167) (14,041) (32,886) (49,094)
Net liability 29,297 4,497 413,164 10,766 457,724
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33 Defined Benefits Plans continued Present value of obligation - $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 2018 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Opening defined benefit obligation 29,350 7,387 429,163 49,381 515,281 Current service cost - 256 359 1,116 1,731 Interest expense 3,469 178 11,044 1,224 15,915
32,819 7,821 440,566 51,721 532,927 Remeasurements Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes in demographic assumptions - (113) 1,957 (531) 1,313 Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions (1,483) 97 13,690 505 12,809 Experience (gains)/losses - 740 (7,319) 2,454 (4,125)
(1,483) 724 8,328 2,428 9,997 Contributions from plan participants - - 185 508 693 Payments from plan Benefits paid (2,039) (1,780) (20,893) (10,850) (35,562) Taxes, premiums and expenses paid - (101) (981) (155) (1,237)
(2,039) (1,881) (21,874) (11,005) (36,799) Closing defined benefit obligation 29,297 6,664 427,205 43,652 506,818
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33 Defined Benefits Plans continued Present value of plan assets $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 - 2018 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Opening fair value of plan assets - 2,686 8,948 42,785 54,419 Interest (income) - 71 260 1,049 1,380
- 2,757 9,208 43,834 55,799 Remeasurements Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest expense - (31) (56) (451) (538) Contributions Employers - 1,322 26,578 - 27,900 Plan participants - - 185 508 693
- 1,322 26,763 508 28,593 Payments from plan Benefits paid - (1,780) (20,893) (10,850) (33,523) Taxes, premiums and expenses paid - (101) (981) (155) (1,237)
- (1,881) (21,874) (11,005) (34,760) Closing fair value of plans assets - 2,167 14,041 32,886 49,094
Amounts recognised in the statement of financial $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 position - 2017 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Liabilities Provision for deferred government benefits for superannuation - 4,701 420,215 6,596 431,512 Provision for pension entitlements 29,350 - - - 29,350 add: On-costs on pension entitlements 4,681 - - - 4,681
Total liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position 34,031 4,701 420,215 6,596 465,543 Assets Receivable for deferred government benefit for superannuation - 4,701 420,215 6,596 431,512
Total assets recognised in the statement of financial position - 4,701 420,215 6,596 431,512 Net liability recognised in the statement of financial position 34,031 - - - 34,031
64 newcastle.edu.au | 173 174 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
Net liability reconciliation - $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 2017 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Defined benefit obligation 29,350 7,387 429,163 49,381 515,281 Fair value of plan assets - (2,686) (8,948) (42,785) (54,419)
Net liability 29,350 4,701 420,215 6,596 460,862
Present value of obligation - $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 2017 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Opening defined benefit obligation 29,749 7,849 432,164 51,985 521,747 Current service cost - 284 491 1,348 2,123 Interest expense 2,592 203 11,726 1,346 15,867
32,341 8,336 444,381 54,679 539,737 Remeasurements Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions (1,050) 47 4,353 244 3,594 Experience (gains)/losses - 386 (1,969) (178) (1,761)
(1,050) 433 2,384 66 1,833 Contribution from plan participants - - 203 588 791 Payments from plan Benefits paid (1,941) (722) (20,235) (5,763) (28,661) Taxes, premiums and expenses paid - (660) 2,430 (189) 1,581
(1,941) (1,382) (17,805) (5,952) (27,080) Closing defined benefit obligation 29,350 7,387 429,163 49,381 515,281
65 174 | The University of Newcastle 175 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
33 Defined Benefits Plans continued Present value of plan assets $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 - 2017 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Opening fair value of plan assets - 3,698 25,615 44,778 74,091 Interest (income) - 91 427 1,162 1,680
- 3,789 26,042 45,940 75,771 Remeasurements Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest expense - (21) 254 1,060 1,293
- (21) 254 1,060 1,293 Contributions Employers - 300 252 1,149 1,701 Plan participants - - 204 588 792
- 300 456 1,737 2,493 Payments from plan Benefits paid - (722) (20,234) (5,763) (26,719) Settlements - (660) 2,430 (189) 1,581
- (1,382) (17,804) (5,952) (25,138) Closing fair value of plans assets - 2,686 8,948 42,785 54,419
66 newcastle.edu.au | 175 176 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
(e) Amounts recognised in other statements
Amounts recognised in the Income Statement - 2018
The amounts recognised in the income statement are restricted to the pension scheme in accordance with the accounting policy detailed below. The amounts are included in the Income Statement.
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Note Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Current service cost 3,469 - - - 3,469
Total expense recognised in 8 the Income Statement 3,469 - - - 3,469
Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income - 2018
The amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income are restricted to the pension scheme in accordance with the accounting policy detailed below. The amounts are included in reserves (note 22).
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Note Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Remeasurements Actuarial losses (gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions (1,483) - - - (1,483)
Total amounts recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (1,483) - - - (1,483)
Amounts recognised in the Income Statement - 2017
The amounts recognised in the income statement are restricted to the pension scheme in accordance with the accounting policy detailed below. The amounts are included in the Income Statement within employee related expense (note 8).
67 176 | The University of Newcastle 177 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
(e) Amounts recognised in other statements continued $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Note Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Current service cost 2,592 - - - 2,592
Total expense recognised in 8 the Income Statement 2,592 - - - 2,592
Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income - 2017
The amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income are restricted to the pension scheme in accordance with note . The amounts are included in reserves (note 22).
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Pension SANCS SSS SASS Total Remeasurements Actuarial losses (gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions (1,050) - - - (1,050)
Total amounts recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (1,050) - - - (1,050)
Accounting Policy
Retirement benefit obligations
All employees of the University are entitled to benefits on retirement, disability or death from the University's superannuation plan. The University has a defined benefit section and a defined contribution section within its plan. The defined benefit section provides defined lump sum benefits based on years of service and final average salary. The defined contribution section receives fixed contributions from University companies and the University's legal or constructive obligation is limited to these contributions. The employees of the parent entity are all members of the defined contribution section of the University's plan.
A liability or asset in respect of defined benefit superannuation plans is recognised in the statement of financial position, and is measured as the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the reporting date less the fair value of the superannuation fund's assets at that date. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is based on expected future payments which arise from membership of the fund to the reporting date, calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service.
Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on national government bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in the period in which they occur, directly in other comprehensive income. They are included in retained earnings in the statement of changes in equity and in the statement of financial position.
Past service costs are recognised in profit or loss immediately.
68 newcastle.edu.au | 177 178 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
33 Defined Benefits Plans continued
Contributions to the defined contribution section of the University's superannuation fund and other independent defined
contribution superannuation funds are recognised as an expense as they become payable.
Deferred government benefit for superannuation
In accordance with the 1998 instructions issued by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) now known as the Department of Education and Training (Education), the effects of the unfunded superannuation liabilities of the University and its controlled entities were recorded in the income statement and the statement of financial position for the first time in 1998. The prior years' practice had been to disclose liabilities by way of a note to the financial statements.
The unfunded liabilities recorded in the statement of financial position under Provisions have been determined by the University's external actuaries and relate to SSS, SASS and SANCS on an emerging cost basis.
Deferred government benefits for superannuation are the amounts recognised as reimbursement rights as they are the amounts expected to be received from the Australian Government for the emerging costs of the superannuation funds for the life of the liability.
69 178 | The University of Newcastle 179 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance
(a) Education - CGS and other Education grants (a) Education - CGS and other Education grants Commonwealth Indigenous Higher Education Promotion of Grants Scheme SuccessCommonwealth Program IndigenousParticipationHigher Education Excellence in Disability #1 Grants Scheme#2 Support ProgramProgram Participation Learning and Performance 2018 2017 2018 #1 2017 2018#2 2017Program Teaching Funding #3 Other Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Parent entity (University) only Parent Entity (UniversityNote) Only$'000 $'000Note $'000 $'000$'000 $'000 $'000$'000 $'000$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Financial assistance received in Financial assistance CASH during the reporting period received in CASH(total cash during received the from the reporting periodAustralian (total cashGovernment for the received fromprogram) the Australian 221,625 221,080 3,739 3,535 5,773 6,390 - 108 94 118 1,250 - 232,481 231,231 Government Netfor theaccrual program) adjustments 221,625 221,080 (206)3,739 1293,535 - 5,773 - 6,390------(206) 129 Net accrual adjustmentsRevenue for the period (206) 1292(a) 221,419 -221,209 -3,739 3,535- 5,773- 6,390 - 108 94 118 1,250 - 232,275 231,360 Revenue for Surplus/(deficit)the period from the2(a) previous221,419 221,209 3,739 3,535 5,773 6,390 year - - 488 - 796 1,289 221 419 - - - - 1,505 1,708 Surplus/(deficit) from the Total revenue including accrued previous year - - 1,289 revenue 221,419488221,209 4,227 7963,535 6,569 7,679 221 527 94 118 1,250 - 233,780 233,068 Total revenueLess including expenses including accrued221,419 221,209 4,227 3,535 6,569 7,679 accrued revenueexpenses (221,419)(221,209) (3,182) (3,047) (6,116) (6,883) (138) (306) (94) (118) - - (230,949)(231,563) Less expensesSurplus/(deficit) including for reporting accrued expensesperiod (221,419) (221,209) (3,182)- (3,047)- 1,045(6,116)488 (6,883)453 796 83 221 - - 1,250 - 2,831 1,505 Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period #1 Includes the basic CGS grant amount, CGS – Regional- Loading,1,045 CGS – 488Enabling Loading,453 CGS - 796Medical Student Loading, Allocated Places, Non Designated Courses and CGS - Special Advances from Future Years.
#2 Indigenous Student Success ProgramPromotion has replaced of the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships Program and the Indigenous Support Program as of 1 January 2018. Prior year programs should be combined and reported inExcellence Indigenous inStudent SuccessDisability Program for 2017. Learning and Performance #3 Disability Performance Funding includesTeaching Additional SupportFunding for Students #3 with DisabilitiesOther and Australian DisabilityTotal Clearinghouse on Education & Training. 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Parent entity (University) only Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 70 Financial assistance received in CASH during the reporting period (total cash received from the Australian Government for the program) - 108 94 118 1,250 - 232,481 231,231 Net accrual adjustments ------(206) 129 Revenue for the period 2(a) - 108 94 118 1,250 - 232,275 231,360 Surplus/(deficit) from the previous year 221 419 - - - - 1,505 1,708 Total revenue including 221 527 94 118 1,250 - 233,780 233,068 accrued revenue Less expenses including accrued expenses (138) (306) (94) (118) - - (230,949) (231,563) Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 83 221 - - 1,250 - 2,831 1,505
#1 Includes the basic CGS grant amount, CGS – Regional Loading, CGS – Enabling Loading, CGS - Medical Student Loading, Allocated Places, Non Designated Courses and CGS - Special Advances from Future Years. #2 Indigenous Student Success Program has replaced the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships Program and the Indigenous Support Program as of 1 January 2018. Prior year programs should be combined and reported in Indigenous Student Success Program for 2017. #3 Disability Performance Funding includes Additional Support for Students with Disabilities and Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education & Training.
newcastle.edu.au | 179 180 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance continued (c) Department of Education and Training Research #4 (b) Higher education loan programes (excl OS-HELP) Research Training Research Support Program Program Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Parent Entity (University) OnlyHECS-HELP Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Financial assistance received in(Australian CASH during the reporting periodGovernment (total cash received from the payments Australian Government for the only) FEE-HELP SA-HELP Total program) 24,101 23,380 22,207 21,038 46,308 44,418 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net accrual adjustments ------Parent entityRevenue (University) for the periodNote $'000 $'000 $'0002(c) 24,101$'000 23,380$'000 22,207$'000 21,038$'000 46,308$'000 44,418 only Surplus/(deficit) from the previous Cash payable/(receivable)year 2,306 1,522 482 604 2,788 2,126 at the beginningTotal of revenue the including accrued year revenue 491 635 (2,017) 26,407(971) 24,902(1,283) 22,689 (8) 21,642(2,809) 49,096(344)46,544 Financial assistanceLess expenses including accrued received in CASHexpenses during (25,376) (22,596) (22,689) (21,160) (48,065) (43,756) the reportingSurplus/(deficit) period for reporting133,994 period 126,217 17,667 1,03114,553 2,3066,506 3,349- 158,167482 1,031144,119 2,788 Cash available for period 134,485 126,852 15,650 13,582 5,223 3,341 155,358 143,775 Revenue earned#4 The reported surpluses2(b) for134 Research 612 126,361 Training Program16,838 of $1.0315,599 million for5,230 2018 are expected4,624 to156,680 be rolled over146,584 for future Cash Payable/use by the Group. (127) 491 (1,188) (2,017) (7) (1,283) (1,322) (2,809) (Receivable) at end of year (d) Total Higher Education Provider Research Training Program expenditure #5
VET Student Loan Program is not required to be acquitted here. Total domestic Total overseas students students $'000 $'000 Research Training Program Fees offsets 10,908 1,046 Research Training Program Stipends 11,373 628 Research Training Program Allowances 1,323 98
Total for all types of support#6 23,604 1,772
#5 Please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines for expenditure definitions for the Research Training Program.
#6 The total for all types of support domestic and overseas students is expected to match the Research Training Program expenses, including accrued expenses of $25,376,000 (note 34(c)) in respect to the 2018 year.
72
180 | The University of Newcastle 181 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance continued (c) Department of Education and Training Research #4 Research Training Research Support Program Program Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Parent Entity (University) Only Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Financial assistance received in CASH during the reporting period (total cash received from the Australian Government for the program) 24,101 23,380 22,207 21,038 46,308 44,418 Net accrual adjustments ------Revenue for the period 2(c) 24,101 23,380 22,207 21,038 46,308 44,418 Surplus/(deficit) from the previous year 2,306 1,522 482 604 2,788 2,126 Total revenue including accrued revenue 26,407 24,902 22,689 21,642 49,096 46,544 Less expenses including accrued expenses (25,376) (22,596) (22,689) (21,160) (48,065) (43,756)
Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 1,031 2,306 - 482 1,031 2,788
#4 The reported surpluses for Research Training Program of $1.03 million for 2018 are expected to be rolled over for future use by the Group.
(d) Total Higher Education Provider Research Training Program expenditure #5
Total domestic Total overseas students students $'000 $'000 Research Training Program Fees offsets 10,908 1,046 Research Training Program Stipends 11,373 628 Research Training Program Allowances 1,323 98
Total for all types of support#6 23,604 1,772
#5 Please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines for expenditure definitions for the Research Training Program.
#6 The total for all types of support domestic and overseas students is expected to match the Research Training Program expenses, including accrued expenses of $25,376,000 (note 34(c)) in respect to the 2018 year.
72
newcastle.edu.au | 181 182 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements ForNOTES the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance continued
(e) Other Capital Funding Other Capital Funding Total 2018 2017 2018 2017 Parent Entity (University) Only Note $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Financial assistance received in CASH during the reporting period (total cash received from the Australian Government for the program) - 2,228 - 2,228 Net accrual adjustments - - - - Revenue for the period 2(d) - 2,228 - 2,228 Surplus/(deficit) from the previous year 2,228 - 2,228 - Total revenue including accrued revenue 2,228 2,228 2,228 2,228 Less expenses including accrued expenses (1,869) - (1,869) - Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 359 2,228 359 2,228
73 182 | The University of Newcastle 183 The University of Newcastle FINANCIALS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance continued (c) Department of Education and Training Research #4 Research Training Research Support (f) Australian Research Council Grants Program Program Total 2018 2017Networks2018 and 2017 2018 2017 Parent Entity (University) Only Discovery Note Linkages$'000 $'000 Centres$'000 $'000 Total$'000 $'000 Financial assistance received in 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 CASH during the reporting period Parent entity(total (University) cash received only from theNote $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Financial assistanceAustralian received Government for the in CASH duringprogram) the reporting 24,101 23,380 22,207 21,038 46,308 44,418 period (total Netcash accrual received adjustments from ------the AustralianRevenue Government for the forperiod the 2(c) 24,101 23,380 22,207 21,038 46,308 44,418 program) Surplus/(deficit) from the previous 9,145 9,585 2,180 2,604 - 2,372 11,325 14,561 year 2,306 1,522 482 604 2,788 2,126 Revenue for the period 2(e) 9,145 9,585 2,180 2,604 - 2,372 11,325 14,561 Total revenue including accrued Surplus/(deficit)revenue from the previous 26,407 24,902 22,689 21,642 49,096 46,544 year Less expenses including accrued 7,844 7,491 3,388 4,002 (430) (41) 10,802 11,452 Total revenueexpenses including accrued (25,376) (22,596) (22,689) (21,160) (48,065) (43,756) 16,989 17,076 5,568 6,606 (430) 2,331 22,127 26,013 revenue Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 1,031 2,306 - 482 1,031 2,788 Less expenses including accrued expenses #4 The reported surpluses for Research(9,398) Training(9,232) Program(2,819) of $1.03 (3,009)million for 2018(98) are expected(2,761) to(12,315) be rolled(15,211) over for future use by the Group. Surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 7,591 7,844 2,749 3,388 (528) (430) 9,812 10,802
(d) Total Higher Education Provider Research Training Program expenditure #5
Total domestic Total overseas students students $'000 $'000 Research Training Program Fees offsets 10,908 1,046 Research Training Program Stipends 11,373 628 Research Training Program Allowances 1,323 98
Total for all types of support#6 23,604 1,772
#5 Please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines for expenditure definitions for the Research Training Program.
#6 The total for all types of support domestic and overseas students is expected to match the Research Training Program expenses, including accrued expenses of $25,376,000 (note 34(c)) in respect to the 2018 year.
72 newcastle.edu.au | 183 184 FINANCIALSThe University of Newcastle NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the Financial Statements NOTESFor the Year Ended TO 31THE December FINANCIAL 2018 STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
34 Acquittal of Australian Government Financial Assistance continued
(g) OS-HELP
2018 2017 Parent Entity (University) Only Note $'000 $'000 Cash received during the reporting period 4,464 1,648 Cash spent during the reporting period (4,624) (3,916) Net cash received (160) (2,268) Cash surplus/(deficit) from the previous period 1,085 3,353 Cash surplus/(deficit) for reporting period 18 925 1,085
(h) Higher Education Superannuation Program Cash received during the reporting period 20,731 - University contribution in respect of current employees - - Cash available 20,731 - Cash surplus / (deficit) from the previous period - - Cash available for current period 20,731 - Contributions to specified defined benefit funds 14 / 33 (20,731) - Cash surplus/(deficit) this period - -
(i) Student Services and Amenities Fee
Parent Entity (University) Only Unspent/(overspent) revenue from previous period 1,480 1,721 SA-HELP revenue earned 2(b) 5,230 4,624 Student Services and Amenities Fees direct from students 4 1,614 1,887 Total revenue expendable in period 8,324 8,232 Student services expenses during period (6,940) (6,752) Unspent/(overspent) student services revenue 1,384 1,480
75 184 | The University of Newcastle 185 FINANCIALS STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018
newcastle.edu.au | 185 186 FINANCIALS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
The University of Newcastle
To Members of the New SouthINDEPENDENT Wales Parliament AUDITOR’S REPORT Opinion The University of Newcastle I have audited the accompanying financial statements of The University of Newcastle (the University), which comprise the Income Statement and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended To31 DecemberMembers of 2018 the ,New the StatementSouth Wales of FinancialParliament Position as at 31 December 2018 , the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a sOpinionummary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the Statement by IMembers have audited of Council the accompanying of the University financial and the statements consolidated of The entity. University The consolidated of Newcastle entity (the comprisesUniversity), whichthe University comprise and the the Income entities Statement it controlled and at Statement the year’s of end Comprehensive or from time to Income time during for the the year financial ended 31year. December 2018, the Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2018 , the Statement of InChanges my opinion, in Equity the financialand the Statementstatements: of Cash Flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the Statement by •Members give of a Counciltrue and of fair the view University of the financialand the consolidatedposition of the entity. University The consolidated and the consolida entity tedcomprises entity, as the Universityat 31 December and the entities 2018, and it controlled of their financial at the year’s performance end or from and timecash to flows time for during the yearthe financial then year. ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards • are in accordance with section 41B of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (PF&A Act) and In my opinion, the financial statements: the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015 • complygive a true with and the fair‘Financial view of Statement the financial Guidelines position offor the Australian University Higher and theEducation consolida Providersted entity, for as atthe 31 2018 December Reporting 2018 Period’, and of(the their Guidelines), financial performance issued by the and Australian cash flows Government for the year Department then ofended Education in accordance and Training, with Australian pursuant toAccounting the Higher Standards Education Support Act 2003, the Higher • areEducation in accordance Funding with Act section1988 and 41B the of Australian the Public Research Finance and Council Audit Act Act 2001 1983. (PF&A Act) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015 My opinion should be read in conjunction with the rest of this report. • comply with the ‘Financial Statement Guidelines for Australian Higher Education Providers for Basisthe for 2018 Opinion Reporting Period’ (the Guidelines), issued by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, pursuant to the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the Higher I conductedEducation my audit Funding in accordanc Act 1988e and with the Australian Australian Auditing Research Standards. Council My Act responsibilities 2001. under the standards are described in the ‘Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements’ Mysection opinion of my should report. be read in conjunction with the rest of this report. BasisI am independent for Opinion of the University in accordance with the requirements of the: •I conductedAustralian my audit Auditing in accordanc Standardse with Australian Auditing Standards. My responsibilities under the standards• Accounting are described Professional in the ‘Auditor’sand Ethical Responsibilities Standards Board’s for the APES Audit 110 of the ‘Code Financial of Ethics Statements’ for sectionProfessional of my report. Accountants’ (APES 110).
I amhave independent fulfilled my otherof the ethicalUniversity responsibilities in accordance in accordance with the requi withrements APES of110. the:
• Australian Auditing Standards • Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 ‘Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants’ (APES 110).
I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with APES 110.
186 | The University of Newcastle
187 FINANCIALS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
Parliament promotes independence by ensuring the Auditor-General and the Audit Office of New South Wales are not compromised in their roles by:
• providing that only Parliament, and not the executive government, can remove an Auditor-General • mandating the Auditor-General as auditor of public sector agencies • precluding the Auditor-General from providing non-audit services.
I believe the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion. Other Information Other information comprises the information included in the University’s annual report for the year ended 31 December 2018, other than the financial statements and my Independent Auditor’s Report thereon. The Council of the University are responsible for the other information. At the date of this Independent Auditor’s Report, the other information I have received comprises the Statement by Members of Council.
My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information. Accordingly, I do not express any form of assurance conclusion on the other information.
In connection with my audit of the financial statements, my responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude there is a material misstatement of the other information, I must report that fact.
I have nothing to report in this regard. University Council’s Responsibilities for the Financial Statements The Council of the University is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the PF&A Act and the Guidelines and for such internal control as the Council determines is necessary to enable the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Council is responsible for assessing the University’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting except where the University will be dissolved by an Act of Parliament or otherwise cease operations. Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements My objectives are to:
• obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error • issue an Independent Auditor’s Report including my opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee an audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards will always detect material misstatements. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. Misstatements are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions users take based on the financial statements.
A description of my responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located at the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar3.pdf The description forms part of my auditor’s report.
newcastle.edu.au | 187
188 FINANCIALS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
My opinion does not provide assurance:
• that the University carried out its activities effectively, efficiently and economically • about the security and controls over the electronic publication of the audited financial statements on any website where they may be presented • about any other information which may have been hyperlinked to/from the financial statements.
James Sugumar Director, Financial Audit Services
29 March 2019 SYDNEY
188 | The University of Newcastle newcastle.edu.au | 189 PART 4 APPENDICES The University monitors and reviews its internal and external compliance and control systems and assesses them against relevant strategies, procedures and corporate governance standards.”
COMPLIANCE REPORT
A. FIVE YEAR STATISTICS 192 G. RISK MANAGEMENT 209 K. CONSUMER 215 B. ACADEMIC PROGRAM 193 FRAMEWORK RESPONSE DEVELOPMENT AND H. DIGITAL INFORMATION 210 L. REVIEWS 216 ASSURANCE SECURITY ANNUAL M. LEGAL MATTERS 217 ATTESTATION STATEMENT C. STUDENT STATISTICS 195 N. MAJOR WORKS 218 I. ETHICAL AND 210 D. EQUITY AND 196 GLOSSARY 222 DIVERSITY RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING INDEX 224 E. HUMAN RESOURCES 202 J. ACCESS TO 212 F. EXECUTIVE 208 INFORMATION REMUNERATION
190 | The University of Newcastle 191 APPENDICES
newcastle.edu.au | 191 192 APPENDICES FIVE YEAR KEY STATISTICS A FIVE YEAR KEY STATISTICS
% CHANGE % CHANGE CATEGORY 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2014-2018 2017-2018 Number of students¹ Total 40,213 38,109 37,186 37,040 37,677 -6.3 1.7
Commencing 18,777 15,939 16,097 16,389 17,455 -7 6.5
Student load² Total 26,092 25,186 24,509 24,595 25,619 -1.8 4.2
Undergraduate 18,976 18,644 18,202 18,425 19,403 2.2 5.3 Postgraduate 3,543 2,910 2,638 2,460 2,521 -28.8 2.5 Coursework Higher Degree Research 1,120 1,192 1,234 1,335 1,428 27.4 7 Other (Enabling, ELICOS, 2,454 2,440 2,435 2,376 2,268 -7.6 -4.5 Non Award) Commonwealth- Funding type³ 19,443 19,083 18,730 18,882 19,469 0.1 3.1 supported Fee-paying overseas 4,571 4,355 4,294 4,402 4,905 7.3 11.4
Fee-paying domestic 2,078 1,749 1,484 1,312 1,245 -40.1 -5.1
Award completions⁴ Total 7,408 7,384 7,108 7,269 6,556 -15.6 -9.8
Undergraduate 4,500 4,572 4,519 4,686 4,407 4.1 -6.0 Postgraduate 2,702 2,566 2,348 2,333 1,881 -13.7 -19.4 Coursework Higher Degree Research 206 246 241 250 268 21.4 7.2
Full-time staff (FTE)⁵ Total 2,635 2,644 2,672 2,754 2,680 1.7 -2.7
Academic 1,060 1,035 1,068 1,096 1,107 4.4 1
Professional 1,576 1,610 1,604 1,658 1,573 -0.2 -5.1
Work function (FTE) Teaching only 35 26 29 24 32 -7.9 34.3
Research only 412 394 436 454 458 11.1 0.8
Teaching and research 751 751 746 761 748 -0.4 -1.7
Other 1,437 1,473 1,462 1,516 1,442 0.3 -4.9
Casual staff⁶ Total 427 442 469 462 483 13.1 4.5
Academic 262 250 264 280 295 12.6 5.4
Professional 165 192 205 182 188 13.9 3.3
Notes: Rounding errors may occur. Data subject to revision. Student data source: UON Data Warehouse 7 February 2019. Staff data source: Department of Education Higher Education Staff Statistics. 1 Number of students represents the number of student enrolments in programs, full year. 2 Student load represents the sum of the load for each term expressed in Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL), full year. 3 Funding type expressed in Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL). 4 Award completions represents the number of completed program enrolments for undergraduate and postgraduate award programs. Completion year is based on the official government completion year of April 1 - March 31. Data source: UON Data Warehouse 1 April 2019. 5 Staff full-time equivalent positions occupied by full-time and part-time staff members as at March 31 (excluding Independent Operations). 2016 work function FTE previously submitted to the Department of Education and Training revised as at 13 March 2017. 6 Casual staff full-time full year equivalent positions occupied during year (excluding Independent Operations). 2018 casual FTE is preliminary and subject to validation and submission to Department of Education and Training at 30 Jun 2019.
192 | The University of Newcastle 193 APPENDICES ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ASSURANCE B ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ASSURANCE
During 2018 the committees of Academic Senate reviewed the ACCREDITATION academic content of 25 new or replacement programs and recommended that Academic Senate establish 16 new awards. Faculty of Business and Law The discontinuation of 19 existing programs was approved. The Bachelor of Commerce and the Master of Professional Professional accreditation was received for 36 programs and Accounting were accredited by the Association of Chartered five programs were externally reviewed. Certified Accountants (ACCA).
ACADEMIC SENATE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Faculty of Education and Arts The following programs were transitioned to be accredited by Faculty of Business and Law the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership • Master of Dispute Resolution (AITSL) program standards to 31 December 2019: • Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)/Bachelor of Arts (pre 2015) Faculty of Education and Arts • Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)/Bachelor of Early Childhood • Diploma in Studies of Culture and Society Studies (pre 2015) • Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts (pre • Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies 2015) Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Fine Art (pre • Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) 2015) • Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Health and • Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Physical Education (pre 2015) • Graduate Certificate in Professional Engineering • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Mathematics (pre 2015) • Master of Professional Engineering (Chemical) • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science (pre • Master of Professional Engineering (Civil) 2015) • Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical and • Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Technology Electronic) (pre 2015). • Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical) The following programs have been added to the list of • Master of Professional Engineering (Software) approved qualifications by the Australian Children’s Education Faculty of Health and Medicine and Care Quality Authority, pending approval from the New • Associate Degree in Family and Community Practice South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA): • Bachelor of Public and Community Health • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) • Diploma of Public and Community Health • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) (Honours). Faculty of Science • Associate Degree in Science • Bachelor of Development Studies / Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies • Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management / Bachelor of Business • Bachelor of Science • Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics • Graduate Certificate in Data Science • Graduate Certificate in Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics • Master of Clinical Psychology • Master of Professional Psychology newcastle.edu.au | 193 194 APPENDICES ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ASSURANCE
ACCREDITATION (CONT) Faculty of Science The Statistics major within the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment of Mathematics, and all associated combined programs were The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA). (Honours) was reviewed and continues to hold the following The Physics major within the Bachelor of Science, and all annual accreditation: associated combined programs, was accredited by the • Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). • Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS). Engineers Australia granted full accreditation to the below ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW listed programs, and all associated combined programs, and Faculty of Education and Arts will accept the first intake of graduates in 2024. • Bachelor of Social Science • Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) • Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) • Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) Faculty of Science • Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science • Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science (Honours) • Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) • Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours). Engineers Australia granted conditional/provisional accreditation to the below listed programs: • Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours). • Master of Professional Engineering (Chemical) • Master of Professional Engineering (Civil) • Master of Professional Engineering (Computer Systems) • Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) • Master of Professional Engineering (Environmental) • Master of Professional Engineering (Mechatronics) • Master of Professional Engineering (Software). Australian Computer Society (ACS) granted conditional accreditation to the below listed programs with a further ACS review to be undertaken within the listed year: • Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) (2023) • Bachelor of Information Technology (Callaghan and Singapore) (2021) • Bachelor of Computer Science (2023) • Master of Information Technology (2021).
Faculty of Health and Medicine The Bachelor of Podiatry was granted full accreditation by the Podiatry Board of Australia for a period of five years. The following programs received initial accreditation from the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, and were subsequently granted accreditation subject to conditions: • Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Hons) (Diagnostic Radiography) • Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Hons) (Nuclear Medicine) • Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Hons) (Radiation Therapy).
194 | The University of Newcastle 195 APPENDICES STUDENT STATISTICS C STUDENT STATISTICS
TABLE 1: STUDENT LOAD (EFTSL) BY STUDENT TYPE 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Domestic 21,528 20,835 20,218 20,172 20,693 International Onshore 3,130 3,042 3,252 3,480 3,903 International Offshore 1,435 1,309 1,038 943 1,022 Total 26,092 25,186 24,509 24,595 25,619
TABLE 2: STUDENT LOAD (EFTSL) BY ACADEMIC LEVEL 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Undergraduate 18,976 18,644 18,202 18,425 19,403 Postgraduate Coursework 3,543 2,910 2,638 2,460 2,521 Higher Degree by Research 1,120 1,192 1,234 1,335 1,428 Non-award 361 343 301 311 320 Enabling 1,720 1,616 1,682 1,675 1,546 ELICOS 373 482 452 390 402 Total 26,092 25,186 24,509 24,595 25,619
TABLE 3: ENROLMENTS BY FACULTY/DIVISION 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Business and Law 6,676 6,127 5,968 5,891 6,134 Education and Arts 10,342 9,137 8,507 8,964 8,706 Engineering and Built 4,664 4,643 4,752 5,550 6,063 Environment Health and Medicine 7,775 7,635 7,558 7,791 7,887 Science 5,460 5,350 5,068 3,410 3,442 Other University¹ 5,296 5,217 5,333 5,434 5,445 Total 40,213 38,109 37,186 37,040 37,677
TABLE 4: STUDENT LOAD (EFTSL) BY LOCATION 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Newcastle 17,686 17,397 17,406 17,754 18,474 Central Coast 3,136 2,965 2,793 2,704 2,685 Port Macquarie 312 266 252 253 254 Sydney 569 539 545 492 503 UON Singapore 1,346 1,241 1,001 910 982 Online 2,694 2,503 2,301 2,411 2,719 Other University1 350 275 211 72 2 Total 26,092 25,186 24,509 24,596 25,619 Other University includes Broken Bay Institute and Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) Source for tables 1-4: UON Data Warehouse 7 February 2018. Rounding errors may occur” applies to Tables 1,2 and 4. newcastle.edu.au | 195 196 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY D EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
GENDER 2018 HIGHLIGHTS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine). Employer of Choice citation awarded UON has recently commenced the Implementation phase of the Pilot through deployment of the organisation’s four- Athena SWAN Bronze Award (Accreditation) year action plan that includes almost 80 activities. The appointment of our inaugural Women in STEMM Chair, as well Inaugural Women in STEMM Chair appointment as the establishment of Assistant Deans, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will assist with leadership for implementation. 30% target met for senior academic women Addressing the under representation of senior academic women across all Faculties remained a continuing priority 87% Promotion success rate for academic women and 2018 saw the University exceed its target of 30% representation at professorial level, placing UON above the 14 women completed UON’s Academic Women in sector average. In addition, female academics had an overall Leadership program success rate for promotions of 87% across all levels. Women in Research Fellowships were again awarded in 2018 with seven Seven new Women in Research Fellowships awarded recipients receiving flexible funding to support progression of their careers, building on the success of 13 recipients in 2017. Gender Equality Leadership Pledge launched Our senior leaders and more than two hundred other University leaders and staff demonstrated their commitment The University was once again recognised by the to gender equality by taking the Gender Equality Leadership Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as an Employer Pledge. In so doing, they have committed to actively of Choice for Gender Equality for the fifth successive supporting organisational initiatives that drive gender equity year. Newcastle remains one of only 17 Universities and equality, demonstrating appropriate behaviour and (and 120 national organisations) to receive this citation. being positive role models for all. Our new workforce gender The citation recognises our commitment and progress equity plan ‘Progress to Equity’ was published, providing a towards gender equity through policies and best practice roadmap for increasing our proud reputation and unrivalled strategies that provide an inclusive and equitable commitment to equity and social justice. workplace culture where all staff can excel. We were also re-accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly UON was also one of only 15 universities/research institutes Workplace, while our new Enterprise Agreements for nationwide to receive a SAGE Athena SWAN Bronze Award, the period 2018-2021 include additional provisions for following a national two-year pilot, which required a deep flexibility and the use of leave to meet family and personal dive into organisational data to gain a better understanding responsibilities, with an increase in available parental leave of the challenges and opportunities for women in STEMM for non-primary carers.
196 | The University of Newcastle 197 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
STAFF EQUITY STATISTICS TABLE 1: TRENDS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF EEO TARGET GROUPS1
% OF TOTAL STAFF²
TARGET 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Women 50.0 60.6 60.2 60.5 60.8 60.7 61.0 61.5 60.9 61.6 61.9
Aboriginal people and Torres 3.9 2.1 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.2 Strait Islanders
People whose first language 19.0 8.1 7.7 7.8 8.0 7.7 9.8 9.2 9.2 8.7 9.7 was not English
People with a disability n/a 3.3 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2
People with a disability requiring work-related 1.5 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 adjustment
TABLE 2: REPRESENTATION OF EEO TARGET GROUPS: ACADEMIC V PROFESSIONAL STAFF2
EEO GROUP % OF TOTAL STAFF² %
BENCHMARK OR TARGET TOTAL Academic 48.8 Women 50.0 61.9 Professional 70.4 Teacher 80.6 Academic 1.8 Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 3.9 2.2 Professional 2.5 Teacher - Academic 17.0 People whose first language was not English 19.0 9.7 Professional 4.8 Teacher 8.3 Academic 2.4 People with a disability n/a 2.2 Professional 2.0 Teacher - Academic 0.5 People with a disability requiring work-related 1.5 0.5 Professional 0.4 adjustment Teacher -
Source for Tables 1-2: Ascender HR Database. Notes: 1. Staff numbers are as at 30 June 2018. 2. Excludes casual staff.
newcastle.edu.au | 197 198 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
TABLE 3: TRENDS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF EEO TARGET GROUPS
EEO GROUP DISTRIBUTION INDEX³
TARGET 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Women 100.0 83.5 81.2 81.6 82.3 82.7 82.1 83.0 82.7 82.4 83.4
Aboriginal people and Torres 100.0 89.0 83.4 85.1 85.0 87.9 89.5 91.1 92.7 91.0 87.0 Strait Islanders
People whose first language 100.0 111.9 111.2 111.4 110.8 111.5 110.2 111.5 111.5 115.0 112.5 was not English
People with a disability 100.0 101.6 101.9 100.1 101.2 100.9 105.8 101.8 103.5 102.5 104.0
People with a disability requiring work-related 100.0 102.6 107.5 102.7 105.7 105.2 112.6 107.4 112.9 109.2 112.1 adjustment
TABLE 4: DISTRIBUTION OF EEO TARGET GROUPS: ACADEMIC V PROFESSIONAL STAFF
EEO GROUP DISTRIBUTION INDEX³
TARGET TOTAL
Academic 91.3 Women 100.0 83.4 Non-academic 90.6
Academic 85.6 Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 100.0 87.0 Non-academic 89.0
Academic 93.3 People whose first language was not English 100.0 112.5 Non-academic 100.7
Academic 104.5 People with a disability 100.0 104.0 Non-academic 95.2
Academic 104.2 People with a disability requiring work-related 100.0 112.1 adjustment Non-academic 111.5
Source for Tables 3-4: Ascender HR Database. Notes: 3. A distribution index of 100 indicates that the distribution of the EEO group across salary levels is equivalent to that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the EEO group tends to be more concentrated at lower salary levels.
198 | The University of Newcastle 199 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER REPRESENTATION The University’s Wollotuka Institute commenced a significant change process in March 2018, following an extensive period of consultation. The new structure and staff profile which is being progressively filled during 2018 and 2019 is designed to provide increased Indigenous student support and quality teaching and learning outcomes, greater external community engagement and internal integration with the University, and build improved research capacity. To support the structural change, in our new Enterprise Agreements for the period 2018-2021, a commitment is made to ensure that the Senior Indigenous Staff role of Pro-Vice Chancellor, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Research is maintained as a position for at least the life of the Agreement. This key role has responsibilities for: • Provision of high quality strategic advice to Senior Management of the University on Indigenous matters within the University and in the wider community. • Provision of strong leadership and management in effective strategic planning and in the development of programs, strategies and policies for Indigenous education, research and collaboration. • Providing direction and leadership that contributes to the effective delivery of outcomes for the University’s strategic priorities in Indigenous education, research and collaboration through the Reconciliation Action Plan, NeW Futures Strategic Plan, Corporate Plan and other relevant EEO GROUP DISTRIBUTION INDEX³ vehicles. Establishment of a new Indigenous Employment Partner TARGET TOTAL role occurred which has a dedicated focus on meeting our Academic 91.3 Indigenous Employment target of 3.9% by 2020. This will Women 100.0 83.4 be achieved through engagement across the organisation Non-academic 90.6 to identify suitable opportunities, working with the local community to identify potential job applicants and supporting Academic 85.6 candidates through the application process. Building upon Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 100.0 87.0 the success of our Indigenous Cadetship Program, which has Non-academic 89.0 seen a number of graduates move in to full time employment, Academic 93.3 will also be a high priority for this role, in addition to seeking People whose first language was not English 100.0 112.5 opportunities to increase our number of Indigenous New Non-academic 100.7 Career Academics. The new Enterprise Agreements also include increased leave Academic 104.5 entitlements in relation to cultural responsibilities, and an People with a disability 100.0 104.0 Non-academic 95.2 increase to language allowances for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff. Academic 104.2 People with a disability requiring work-related 100.0 112.1 adjustment Non-academic 111.5
newcastle.edu.au | 199 200 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
STUDENT FOCUSED INITIATIVES Harmony Day Harmony Day (Everyone Belongs) is celebrated nationally Student Central is often the first point of contact for many across Australia in March to coincide with the United Nations students and the team is involved in a range of student International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. equity and support initiatives that are developed to address identified student need. UON’s events were designed to add value to the student experience by fostering new connections within the University A number of successful projects are delivered on an annual community, celebrating cultural diversity, acknowledging the basis, including events to mark both International Women’s combined cultural strength of the institution and the rich Day and Harmony Day. experiences it delivers to students and staff. International Women’s Day Approximately 1000+ attendees attended the event to enjoy The events program ran across Callaghan and Ourimbah ethnic cuisine, music and traditional performance. as a collaboration between Student Central, Newcastle Sexual Health Awareness Week University Students Association (NUSA), Newcastle University Postgraduate Students’ Association (NUPSA), and the Sexual Health Awareness Week (SHAW) aims to promote Wollotuka Institute. Student groups, clubs and societies positive sexual health behaviours by engaging students in involvement was also central to the International Women’s sexual health related activities and discussions. Respect, Day narrative and planning. communication and sexual consent were a common message promoted across all activities. The Campaign theme of #PressforProgress called on students and staff to help forge a more gender inclusive SHAW’s seven activities and workshops took campus setting, university and working environment. Callaghan-based events student demographics and student identified need into included a gender diversity workshop, a film screening of account and relevant NSW sexual health plan targets and Miss Representation followed by a lively panel discussion. strategies were considered and addressed. At Ourimbah, staff and students took part in an expo and The event was coordinated by UON’s Health Promotion barbecue, and saw a live streaming of the All About Women Coordinator and developed in partnership and collaboration Satellite from the Sydney Opera House. with 20 internal and external stakeholders. SHAW is a health Project objectives aligned with the New Futures Strategic Plan promotion intervention activity under the Healthy UON Sexual 2016-2025 vision to support all UON students on their journey Health Program. towards academic, social, personal and professional success. Gender inclusivity Specialist Peer Mentor Program A total of 11 gender inclusive bathrooms were developed During the year, AccessAbility supported 48 students with across the Callaghan campus during the year, with an an Autism Spectrum Condition through the Specialist Peer additional phase planned in 2019 that will see another seven Mentor Program (SPMP). AccessAbility recruited, trained and units come on-stream. provided ongoing supervision of student mentors who were then paired with mentees. Mentors met with their mentee for one hour per fortnight, on campus. Mentors assisted with planning and organization; goal setting; navigating university systems and processes; communicating with academic staff; and various other issues that mentees were facing. They also provided a regular, familiar point of contact on campus which assisted in reducing mentees’ feelings of social isolation. Two fortnightly social groups were also available for all mentees and mentors to attend. These sessions involved some targeted skill building activities as well as social activities. The social groups were ordinarily attended by between 10 and 16 mentees, along with their mentors. Overall feedback from both mentors and mentees has been overwhelmingly positive, with mentees reporting a high level of satisfaction with the program. One of the mentees offered that “if anyone has the choice of entering the mentoring program, I absolutely recommend it. It may seem like a hassle having to set time aside for a meeting, but it’s so worth it. The benefits far outweigh whatever inconvenience it may be”. Mentors have reported that they have enjoyed the experience of participating in this program; that they have been challenged and had excellent learning opportunities, often finding it very relevant to their studies.
200 | The University of Newcastle 201 APPENDICES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR EQUITY IN HIGHER Live Learn Grow EDUCATION (CEEHE) The Live, Learn, Grow program, aims to support those with an out of home care (OOHC) experience. Live, Learn, Grow works with care leavers, children and young people currently 2018 HIGHLIGHTS in care, foster and kinship carers, and staff from government and non-government OOHC agencies. Children’s University Newcastle student awarded a Gold Fellowship for successfully completing over 1000 Australians with a care background are significantly less likely hours of learning in her passport. to access and engage in higher education, and more likely to experience negative outcomes, such as homelessness, The Live, Learn, Grow program was awarded the 2018 unemployment and involvement in the criminal justice Innovation Award from the Association of Children’s system. The Hunter & Central Coast region also has a Welfare Agencies (ACWA). significantly higher than average rate of children and young people entering out of home care. First year university Professor Penny Jane Burke was appointed to the participants with a care experience were supported at both Equity Research and Innovation Panel, funded by the the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses. Outreach was 2017 National Priorities Pool component of the Higher conducted across Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Education Participation and Partnerships Program Coast. (HEPPP). See page 68 for more information
UON Student Equity & Social Justice Expert Panel
CEEHE is committed to developing innovative CEEHE plays a critical role in the University’s Equity & Access methodologies for equity research and practice that agenda by strategically aligning, coordinating & evaluating reshape and impact educational systems in Australia and strategies to create cultural change and open up high quality, internationally. This highly collaborative, interdisciplinary inclusive and equitable practice across the University. Part of approach to research and practice will have a significant this role has included establishing a University of Newcastle impact on how educational institutions attract, retain and Student Equity Expert Panel (Expert Panel). nurture students from diverse backgrounds. The Expert Panel creates a collaborative link between leading scholars and practitioners in the field of equity, social justice CEEHE brings together research, evaluation, theory, policy and and education and the operational areas of the University, it practice and fosters dialogue by drawing on the notion of provides strategic advice to support the direction, priorities ‘praxis’, an approach that brings theory and practice together and actions of the university and performs an ongoing review in cycles of reflection-action and action-reflection. of all student equity initiatives to ensure they are informed Key work undertaken through the year has included: by research, are fit for purpose and adopt methodologically The Children’s University (CU Newcastle) sound evaluation practices. This review will ensure that UON continues to meet the existing and emerging challenges CU Newcastle provides extra-curricular learning opportunities faced by students, families and communities who have to children aged between 7 and 14 years and volunteer previously been under-represented in higher education. opportunities for 15-18 year olds. The initiative is designed to engage children in learning in its broadest sense and to provide the framework for children to develop self-efficacy, confidence and pursue their ambitions. This year, 78% of passport holders with CU Newcastle graduated. We also welcomed 88% of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participating children to graduation this year. This fantastic result is attributed to connecting authentically with our learning communities and contributing to the local AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group). CU Newcastle Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children take great pride in wearing an additional stole at graduation. The stole was designed by a small group of artists in a workshop designed to highlight a sense of belonging to culture, a recognition of past histories and an acknowledgement of future possibilities for future leaders within our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
newcastle.edu.au | 201 202 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE CITATION AWARDED¹ The University was once again recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for the fifth successive year. The citation E recognises our commitment and progress towards gender equity through policies and best practice strategies that HUMAN provide an inclusive and equitable workplace culture where RESOURCES staff can excel. GENDER EQUALITY LEADERSHIP PLEDGE LAUNCHED¹ 2018 HIGHLIGHTS Our senior leaders and more than two hundred other University leaders and staff demonstrated their commitment Enterprise Agreement 2018 to gender equality by taking the Gender Equality Leadership Pledge. Our new workforce gender equity plan ‘Progress to Athena SWAN Bronze Award (Accreditation) Equity’ was published, providing a roadmap for increasing our proud reputation and unrivalled commitment to equity Employer of Choice citation awarded and social justice.
Gender Equality Leadership Pledge launched IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE MODEL Implementation of the new HRS Customer Service A three-tiered customer service model was successfully Model implemented by HRS following consultation with client areas across the University. The model places greater focus on the Implementation of the new PRD system client experience and has had a positive impact on clients based on the feedback they have provided. HRS will continue UON Academy to work with key stakeholders to refine the customer service model. Superannuation Remediation Project IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PRD SYSTEM Human Resource Services (HRS) attracts, supports, SuccessFactors was implemented as the University’s online develops and retains the University’s world-class staff. Performance Review and Development (PRD) system as a HRS provides strategic, procedural, legislative and key initiative to support the ‘UON Workforce of the Future’ administrative support and advice covering: workforce strategic objective. Following the implementation, work strategy and transformation, employee relations, HR continues to embed and refine the system based on user business partnering, workplace health and safety, feedback to enhance the user experience. remuneration and benefits, HR support services, recruitment and HR information systems. UON ACADEMY There were a number of successful operational and strategic UON continued to develop, support and engage our initiatives delivered in 2018, aligned with the NeW Futures sessional academic staff through semester e-newsletters, Strategic Plan 2016-2025. communication of development opportunities, professional development awards and networking events. ENTERPRISE AGREEMENTS 2018 SUPERANNUATION REMEDIATION PROJECT Following a comprehensive consultation process, University staff voted in favour of the two new Enterprise Agreements, Work was undertaken by the Superannuation Remediation which have now been submitted to the Fair Work Commission Project team to address the under contributions of (FWC) for formal approval. It is anticipated that the FWC will superannuation to current and past employees of the approve both agreements by quarter two 2019. Administrative University, which was a sector-wide issue. The project increases and backpays were processed in December 2018. achieved a key milestone in December 2018 where the majority of current and past employees remediated. ATHENA SWAN BRONZE AWARD (ACCREDITATION)¹ Work continues into early 2019 to finalise the remaining remediation superannuation payments. UON was one of only 15 universities/research institutes nationwide to receive a SAGE Athena SWAN Bronze Award, A superannuation interaction centre was established to following a national two-year pilot. The pilot the University a support enquiries made by current and past employees. better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for women in STEMM. 1. See Appendix D, page 196 for further information.
202 | The University of Newcastle 203 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 FIXED-TERM AND CONTINUING STAFF FTE CASUAL AND SESSIONAL STAFF FTE (As at 31 March 2018) (1 January to 31 December 2018)
31 1,107 Professional 188 TOTAL TOTAL Academic 483 2,680 295 Teacher 1,542
FIGURE 3 JOB APPLICANTS (1 January to 31 December 2018)
6,542 Total Number of Applicants
TABLE 1: CONJOINT STAFF (as at 31 March 2018)
FACULTY/DIVISION TOTAL FACULTY/DIVISION TOTAL
Academic Division 8 Faculty of Science 238
Faculty of Business and Law 71 Research and Innovation Division 2
Faculty of Education and Arts 163 Vice-Chancellor's Division 1
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment 148 Total 1,854
Faculty of Health and Medicine 1,223 Source: Ascender HR Database
Source: Figure 1 - Department of Education and Training Higher Education Staff Statistics. Figure 2 - Ascender HR Database Preliminary figures subject to validation and submission to Department of Education and Training at 30 June 2018. Figure 3 - Ascender HR Database.
newcastle.edu.au | 203 204 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
TABLE 2: NUMBER OF ACADEMIC STAFF BY APPOINTMENT TERM, LEVEL AND GENDER 2015-2018 (AS AT 31 MARCH 2018)
2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018
LEVEL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Continuing A 13 8 21 11 6 17 15 8 23 15 9 24
B 120 100 220 109 89 198 91 65 156 82 56 138
C 81 116 197 84 117 201 93 114 207 98 105 203
D 42 73 115 50 83 133 51 80 131 52 86 138
E 24 97 121 23 102 125 33 108 141 39 110 149 Continuing 280 394 674 277 397 674 283 375 658 286 366 652 total Fixed-term A 74 68 142 82 87 169 99 84 183 113 106 219
B 139 81 220 148 86 234 156 95 251 149 99 248
C 26 40 66 28 32 60 36 42 78 43 39 82
D 10 9 19 5 17 22 10 21 31 10 15 25
E 11 33 44 17 33 50 17 37 54 22 32 54 Fixed-term 260 231 491 280 255 535 318 279 597 337 291 628 total Total 540 625 1,165 557 652 1209 601 654 1,255 623 657 1,280
TABLE 3: NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF BY APPOINTMENT TERM, HEW LEVEL AND GENDER 2015-2018 (AS AT 31 MARCH 2018)
2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018
HEW FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Continuing 2 2 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
3 37 28 65 42 27 69 30 15 45 32 13 45
4 127 22 149 126 20 146 115 17 132 112 16 128
5 188 45 233 159 44 203 169 47 216 156 44 200
6 129 58 187 142 53 195 150 63 213 140 57 197
7 160 85 245 155 85 240 160 85 245 161 79 240
8 89 52 141 93 60 153 96 67 163 96 71 167
9 42 31 73 44 28 72 49 28 77 47 26 73
10 24 23 47 27 20 47 21 21 42 23 21 44 Continuing 798 344 1,142 790 337 1,127 791 343 1,134 768 327 1,095 total
Source for Tables 2-4: Department of Education and Training Higher Education Staff Statistics Notes • Excludes casual staff. • Number of staff includes full-time and fractional full-time staff who occupy more than one position.
204 | The University of Newcastle 205 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
TABLE 3: NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF BY APPOINTMENT TERM, HEW LEVEL AND GENDER 2015-2018 (AS AT 31 MARCH 2018) (CONTINUED)
2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018
HEW FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Fixed-term <1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1
1 1 2 3 11 4 15 11 1 12 2 2 4
2 68 48 116 58 37 95 48 33 81 40 27 67
3 16 14 30 20 11 31 30 20 50 36 15 51
4 66 16 82 67 20 87 78 23 101 65 23 88
5 164 42 206 162 30 192 189 36 225 165 52 217
6 119 34 153 120 41 161 125 41 166 121 34 155
7 65 35 100 78 39 117 83 39 122 69 32 101
8 42 27 69 33 32 65 32 30 62 32 22 54
9 15 16 31 11 18 29 8 18 26 8 9 17
10 13 8 21 12 9 21 14 13 27 13 16 29 Fixed-term 569 242 811 573 241 814 619 254 873 551 232 783 total Total 1,367 586 1,953 1,363 578 1,941 1,410 597 2,007 1,319 559 1,878
TABLE 4: NUMBER OF ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF BY APPOINTMENT TERM AND GENDER 2015-2018 (AS AT 31 MARCH 2018)
2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018
FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL FEMALE MALE TOTAL
Continuing 1,078 738 1,816 1,067 734 1,801 1,074 718 1,792 1,054 693 1,747 Fixed-term 829 473 1,302 853 496 1,349 937 533 1,470 888 523 1,411 Total 1,907 1,211 3,118 1,920 1,230 3,150 2,011 1,251 3,262 1,942 1,216 3,158
Supporting our Enterprise Agreements, we have a EMPLOYEE POLICIES AND comprehensive range of human resource policies, PRACTICES procedures, systems and practices to facilitate effective Enterprise bargaining continued throughout 2018 with human resource management across the University. Policies, a very high proportion of staff voting to endorse our procedures, systems and practices are regularly reviewed to new Enterprise Agreements in late November. The 2018 ensure currency and effectiveness. University of Newcastle Enterprise Agreements, one for Organisational change continued throughout 2018 with a Academic Staff and Teachers and, one for Professional focus on improved staff structures and effectiveness in the Staff - currently pending Fair Work Commission approval Wollotuka Institute. Other organisational change processes - offer staff a range of benefits including an aggregate commenced in 2017 progressed to implementation in 2018. salary increase of 8.25%, further strengthening our The ’Turning to Our Students’ Project, which aims to transform market position across the sector and within our regional the educational experience for students will continue in 2019. community. Generous and flexible conditions that support This work is guided by the NeW Education Framework and the staff to balance work and family responsibilities are Student Journey Map. maintained or improved in addition to superannuation equity for staff on fixed term contracts from September 2021.
newcastle.edu.au | 205 206 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
Health and Wellness: The wellness of staff and students HEALTH AND SAFETY at the University is a priority and is overseen by the UON The University continued to pursue its commitment Healthy University Steering Committee and by the health and to providing a safe and healthy working and learning safety team. Initiatives included the successful ‘R U OK Day’ environment across all campuses through the personal with its focus on mental health and support for staff across leadership of professional and academic staff. These all University campuses. In addition, programs are offered to leaders have supported the implementation of the health encourage physical and mental health and include: and safety strategic objectives that are described in this • Mental health awareness for managers; report. • Mental health first aid; The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for 2018 included recognition • Aggression minimisation training; of health and safety excellence with three individual winners • Resilience through change; receiving awards. • Pilates and Yoga; HEALTH AND SAFETY STRATEGY 2018 • Employee Assistance Program (EAP); • Return to work support for staff with non-work related The Health and Safety Strategy includes initiatives to drive a injuries and illnesses; work health and safety culture to achieve the goal of being • Early intervention physiotherapy the healthiest university in Australia for staff and students. • Ergonomics assessments and training. Promoting a culture of H&S Commitment: The University’s Health and Safety injury prevention and management: health and safety induction training was absorbed into our online training system, Discover, with all staff being requested In addition to the injuries that occurred as part of work to re-induct every two years. During the year, 12 H&S leader activities, 70 people were supported through the ‘well to workshops were delivered to 85 participants with each work’ program. This program supports employees who are participant identifying a H&S improvement project to carry injured outside of work but require assistance to return to forward. In total, 309 leaders have participated in workshops their duties due to that injury. since the initiative was established in late 2015. During the During the year, 368 visits occurred where employees year, a H&S culture workshop was also convened. Faculty and participated in the early intervention physiotherapy (EIP) division leaders who attended were tasked with identifying program. In this program, staff reporting low level physical activities to promote health and safety engagement and pain (that if not treated may exacerbate and result in a culture within their teams. workers compensation claim), are referred to physiotherapy Support leader-led H&S Management System for early treatment to reduce pain and the risk of a claim. implementation: The Health and Safety Strategy highlights An ergonomic check-sheet has been made available to our ongoing commitment to internal H&S Systems Auditing. all staff with one-on-one assessments and support made During the year, 10 audits were conducted with a School or available where there is a need for additional assistance due Unit selected from each Faculty and Division and the results to physical or mobility issues. A total of 139 staff received that provided to the School or Unit leadership team. In addition, support during the year. an internal audit of the UON H&S Audit program was The University reviewed its ‘smoke free campus’ initiative undertaken by Assurance Services. The results of these audits and re-introduced a limited number of designated smoking were reported to the Executive Committee and to the Risk pods at the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses. This decision Committee of Council. was made by the Executive Committee due the unintended In addition to the internal audit program, the Office of the adverse consequences of the smoke-free policy, particularly Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) undertook monitoring increased bushfire risk and environmental damage. inspections of 10 certified University laboratory facilities in The University is committed to achieving a smoke free September. The inspections were carried out at the Callaghan environment and is investigating a research based approach Campus and at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). to achieve this outcome. The results were communicated to the Senior DVC Research Performance against the Strategic Plan is regularly reported and Innovation as the UON’s Authorised Person and relevant to the Executive Committee and Council. Planning for further working groups within the Faculties and Division. Corrective improvement is underway for 2019 and beyond. actions have been closed out and the OGTR has accepted the required actions are complete.
206 | The University of Newcastle 207 APPENDICES HUMAN RESOURCES
HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS The University Executive Committee receives a monthly Strategic use of H&S data: a new online incident reporting health and safety performance report with an analysis of the and tracking system was introduced in 2017 which has incidents that have occurred so that trends can be identified allowed for improved monitoring, analysis and data gathering and corrective action taken. of corrective actions taken to prevent further incidents. The In addition to injuries, the percentage of hazards and near system is also used to complete H&S audits and inspections misses are reported on a monthly basis to maintain focus and across the University. allow for corrective action to be taken to prevent injury. There Radiation Monitoring: The online system records and reports were consistently more hazards and near misses reported on personal radiation exposure for current staff and students (516 or 60% of reports) compared with injuries (344 or 40%) and has since it was established in 2017, recorded radiation during the year and this will remain a key focus in 2019. sources across the university. UON is continuing to work to As of December 31st 2018, the Lost Time Injury Frequency strengthen its radiation compliance capabilities. Rate (LTIFR) is 3.32 compared with 2.73 for the same period in 2017. The Total Recordable Frequency Rate (TRIFR) is WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 7.81 compared with 5.27 for the same period in 2017. Total The University has continued with the loss prevention and recordable injuries are defined as any work-related injury recovery administered by iCare (previously WorkCover NSW). that required assessment and treatment from a medical While it takes four years for full figures to be known, due practitioner and included all lost time injuries and other to the way in which premiums are calculated under the injuries which are medically treated but allow for return to scheme, UON is currently tracking to save $2m on its annual work on pre-injury or suitable duties. premium for 2018 compared to what would have fallen due under the conventional scheme. There is an ongoing focus to GOVERNANCE encourage early reporting of injuries and early symptoms of The Executive Committee and the University Council continue pain so that assessments can be made to determine cause, to fulfil their health and safety management role with identify corrective actions and make prompt referrals for ongoing discussion of performance trends, mitigating actions physiotherapy if required. Where staff require time off work and H&S improvements. to recover from an injury, they are supported during recovery and through management of a graded return to pre-injury During the year, Council reviewed and discussed their due duties. During the year, 40 accepted workers compensation diligence responsibilities and the H&S information provided claims were managed (down from 48 in 2017). by the University. An interactive session with Council to cover current due diligence obligations, was also convened. AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY SAFETY ASSOCIATION HAZARD AND RISK MANAGEMENT (AUSA) CONFERENCE The University hosted the AUSA conference this year, The safety review process for assessing the risks of research welcoming 140 delegates from across Australia and New and other projects is well established across UON with a Zealand. The conference provided the opportunity for total of 635 reviews being conducted during the year. These delegates to review and collaborate on current health and included projects involving hazardous substances, radiation, safety issues across the sector. genetically modified organisms, teaching and research field trips and travel to destinations overseas that are deemed high-risk according to their security and medical classifications.
CONSULTATION The University’s overarching health and safety committee includes representatives from all faculties, divisions and geographical locations. The committee provides a forum for communicating university-wide issues and gives committee members an opportunity to provide input and communicate messages back to their own committees. In addition to the health and safety committees for each faculty and division, regional campus committees have been established to provide leaders and staff with a platform for discussing issues that are specific to them. Health and safety committees now operate at Sydney campus, City campus in Newcastle, the UON Department of Rural Health at Tamworth, Ourimbah, and the Centre for rural and remote mental health in Orange.
newcastle.edu.au | 207 208 APPENDICES EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION F EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION
TABLE 1: NUMBER OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES EMPLOYED AT 31 DECEMBER 2018
2017 2018 Senior executive band Female Male Female Male Vice-Chancellor 1 0 0 1 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer 1 3 0 3 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer 2 6 2 4 4 9 2 8 Totals 13 10
TABLE 2: AVERAGE TOTAL REMUNERATION PACKAGE OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES EMPLOYED AT 31 DECEMBER 2018
AVERAGE TOTAL REMUNERATION PACKAGE SENIOR EXECUTIVE BAND 2017 $ 2018 $ Vice-Chancellor 872,201 850,038 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer 454,977 516,821 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer 378,133 426,569
TABLE 3: PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EMPLOYEE-RELATED EXPENDITURE IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR THAT RELATES TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES
2016 2017 2018 Percentage of total employee-related expenditure in the financial year that 1.3% 1.4% 1.6% relates to senior executives
208 | The University of Newcastle 209 APPENDICES RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK G RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Risk management is a core part of our governance 2018 HIGHLIGHTS practice. The University has adopted AS/NZS ISO 31000- 2009 Risk management – Principles and guidelines in Our risk management activities continue to be developing its approach to risk management. undertaken in line with international principles. The Executive Committee is actively engaged in the risk In a difficult insurance environment, the University management process. The Risk Committee and the University was able to negotiate renewal terms and conditions Council oversee the Enterprise Risk Management Framework that support business needs. This was due to our and discuss strategic risks at each Committee meeting. strong risk practices and sound claims management The risk management framework is considered across the systems. University at a strategic, operational and project management level. Ongoing practices identify, manage, mitigate, monitor and report from strategic and operational perspectives. This process is supported by the Risk Management Policy and the Risk Management Framework.
INTERNAL CONTROL Council is responsible for ensuring an effective system of internal controls over financial and operational activities. The Vice-Chancellor, as the principal Executive Officer, is responsible for ensuring that the internal environment supports the efficient and effective operation of appropriate internal controls to support the University’s strategy and objectives. The Vice-Chancellor provides annual assurance to Council on the systems of internal controls, accountability and delegations (including in relation to controlled entities) as part of the management of the University’s annual financial reporting.
INSURANCE Our suite of Insurance policies is reviewed and renewed annually with the insurance period commencing 1 November each year. Our broker supports the management of this process to ensure that optimal and cost-effective coverage is obtained. Details of insurance policies relevant to staff and students are published on our website. newcastle.edu.au/current-staff/our-organisation/ governance/corporate-risk/insurance
newcastle.edu.au | 209 210 APPENDICES DIGITAL INFORMATION SECURITY ANNUAL ATTESTATION STATEMENT H I DIGITAL ETHICAL AND INFORMATION RESPONSIBLE SECURITY ANNUAL DECISION-MAKING ATTESTATION
STATEMENT Our culture is underpinned by strong values and ethical behaviour centred around integrity, respect and professionalism. The Code of Conduct governs our community in its day-to-day activity, decision-making and 2018 HIGHLIGHTS interaction with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.
A project from School of Creative Industries In conjunction with The Ethics Centre, Council established researcher Dr Gillian Arrighi brought to life the the Ethical Decision Making Framework to set the ‘tone’ for lavish original 1891 interior of a forgotten Newcastle behaviour and decision-making and support the University icon, the Victoria Theatre. The UON Innovation team in realising its vision to be a global leader in each of our created an immersive virtual reality experience that spheres of achievement. The UON Ethical Framework is allows users to walk through the foyer and three provided to guide and support decision making at all levels levels of stalls, circle and gallery before viewing the and helps to ensure that when making decisions on behalf of stage as it was nearly 130 years ago. the University, the ‘standard for judgement’ lies in the Ethical Framework rather than the personal beliefs of any individual, Our Neonatal Resuscitation Virtual Reality (VR) thus ensuring clarity and consistency in application. application that teaches midwifery students how to Our policies and codes are in place to provide ethical resuscitate a compromised neonate, was shortlisted guidance and support ethical behaviour. These include: the in the IT News Benchmark Awards for 2018. Conflicts of Interest Policy; the Student Academic Integrity Policy; the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy; and the CIO50 – Our University CIO, Anthony Molinia, was Code of Ethical Academic Conduct Policy. named in the top 50 CIOs in Australia by the CIO Our activities support compliance with relevant legislative Executive Council. requirements, professional standards and internal controls to ensure the provision of timely and transparent information to our stakeholders and the general public. Digital Information Security Annual Attestation Statement for the 2018 Financial Year for the Council of the University of Newcastle. I, Mr Anthony Molinia, am of the opinion that The University of Newcastle had an Information Security Management System (ISMS) in place during the 2017-2018 financial year that is consistent with the Core Requirements set out in the NSW Government Digital Information Security Policy. The controls in place to mitigate identified risks to the digital information and digital information systems of the University of Newcastle are adequate. There is no agency under the control of the Council of The University of Newcastle that is required to develop an independent ISMS in accordance with the NSW Government Digital Information Security Policy.
210 | The University of Newcastle 211 APPENDICES ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING
ANIMAL CARE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE The University of Newcastle is committed to the highest The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is responsible standard of ethical practice in animal-based teaching and for the review of applications for ethics approval for human research. research to be conducted at, or under the auspices of, the The Animal Care and Ethics Committee is responsible for University and for the provision of advice to the University on overseeing the care and use of animals, the care and use related matters. of animals, and to ensure that these activities meet the The HREC performs its responsibilities within the terms requirements of the regulatory framework. The ACEC plays of reference as set out in the National Statement, issued an important role in reviewing applications for research jointly by the National Health and Medical Research and teaching where animals are involved. The ACEC is also Council (NHMRC), the Australian Research Council (ARC) and responsible for monitoring approved activities in accordance Universities Australia, and relevant State and Commonwealth with legislative requirements. legislation, policies and codes. The Animal Care and Ethics Committee reports to Council, Our HREC reports directly to the NSW Privacy Commissioner the governing body of the University of Newcastle and is where the HREC is the lead ethics committee and the responsible for the consideration of ethical and welfare Statutory Guidelines on Research, issued under Section 64 of aspects as well as the scientific or educational value of the the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) use of animals for research and teaching purposes. (HRIP Act), have been applied. Its membership includes the following categories: • Reports to the NSW Privacy Commissioner are prepared • Category A: Veterinarians - persons with qualifications and submitted on a financial year basis. In the 2017/2018 in veterinary science that are recognised for registration financial year, the HREC did not consider any ethics as a veterinary surgeon in Australia, and with experience applications which required application of the HRIP – relevant to the University’s activities or the ability to acquire Statutory Guidelines on Research. relevant knowledge. We are also required to report decisions to the National • Category B: Researchers - persons with substantial and Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which recent experience in the use of animals for scientific collects information on behalf of the Australian Information purposes relevant to the institution and the business of the Commissioner, where the NHMRC Guidelines under Section 95 ACEC. This must include possession of a higher degree in and 95a of the Privacy Act 1988, have been applied. research or equivalent experience. • During the year, the HREC did not consider any ethics • Category C: Animal welfare members - persons with applications that required the application of the NHMRC demonstrable commitment to, and established experience Guidelines under Section 95 and 95a of the Privacy Act 1988. in furthering the welfare of animals, who are not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who are not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and endorsement by, such an organisation. • Category D: Independent members - persons not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution and who have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education. Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the ACEC, and must not fit the requirements of any other category. These categories are as defined in the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013.
newcastle.edu.au | 211 212 APPENDICES ACCESS TO INFORMATION J ACCESS TO INFORMATION
2018 HIGHLIGHTS RIGHT TO INFORMATION The University encourages and supports appropriate, open and transparent engagement with our We support openness and transparency as encompassed in communities. the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (the GIPA Act). Formal and informal application requests are Information not readily available on our website can be managed in line with regulatory time frames. obtained by submitting an informal request or, where further consideration is required, a formal request for the release of government information under the GIPA Act. Access to PROTECTING PRIVACY information is only restricted when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure. During 2018 we: The University supports an individual’s privacy when we • Continued to proactively disclose information to the collect, store, use and disclose personal information. When public and our key stakeholders. Information is generally dealing with private and personal information, we apply the published on our website at newcastle.edu.au. principles and obligations within the Privacy and Personal • Policies are published in the University’s policy library. Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (PPIPA) and the Health • Details regarding non-confidential decisions made by the Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) (HRIPA), Council are published in online newsletters. outlined in our Privacy and Information Access Policy and Privacy Management Plan. During 2018, we: • Continued to provide our GIPA contracts register. • Participated in the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s • Reviewed the Privacy Management Plan and Privacy and ‘Right to Know’ week activities as a ‘Right to Know’ Information Access Policy champion. • Assessed the impact and compliance requirements of the • Received 17 applications. Statistics on the applications General Data Protection Regulation decided in 2018 are provided below: • Celebrated and supported Privacy Awareness Week • Maintained a webpage for staff, students and the general public relating to privacy matters.
TABLE 1: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BY TYPE OF APPLICANT AND OUTCOME1 FULL FULL PART ACCESS ACCESS ACCESS ACCESS ACCESS IS HELD ALREADY ALREADY NOT HELD NOT AVAILABLE REFUSE TO REFUSE TO REFUSE TO DEAL WITH APPLICANT REFUSED IN GRANTED IN GRANTED IN CONFIRM OR CONFIRM WITHDRAWN APPLICATION APPLICATION INFORMATION INFORMATION INFORMATION INFORMATION DENY WHETHER Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Members of Parliament 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Private sector business 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Not-for-profit organisations or community groups² 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Members of the public (application by legal 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 representative) Members of the public (other) 7 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 Notes: 1. More than one decision can be made in respect of a particular access application. If so, a recording must be made in relation to each such decision. This also applies to Table 2. 2. Includes other NSW Government agencies.
212 | The University of Newcastle Media Members of ParliamentMembers Private sector business Not-for-profit organisations or community groups² representative) of thepublic(application byMembers legal Members of thepublic(other) Members
ACCESS 0 0 0 1 1 7 GRANTED IN FULL ACCESS 0 0 0 1 1 1 GRANTED IN PART ACCESS 0 0 0 0 0 2 REFUSED IN FULL 0 0 0 0 0 0 INFORMATION NOT HELD INFORMATION 0 0 0 0 0 0 ALREADY AVAILABLE REFUSE TO 0 0 0 0 0 0 DEAL WITH APPLICANT REFUSE TO CONFIRM OR 0 0 0 0 0 0 DENY WHETHER INFORMATION IS HELD 0 0 0 0 0 1 APPLICATION WITHDRAWN TABLE 6:TIMELINESS (MATTERS LISTED INTABLE TO SECTION 14 OFTHEACT) TABLE 5:OTHER PUBLICINTEREST CONSIDERATIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE per application).Thisalsoappliesinrelation to Table 5. More thanonepublicinterest consideration may applyinrelation to access aparticular applicationand,ifso, eachconsideration isto berecorded (butonlyonce LISTED INSCHEDULE1OFTHEGIPA ACT) TABLE 4:CONCLUSIVE PRESUMPTION OFOVERRIDING PUBLICINTEREST AGAINST DISCLOSURE (MATTERS TABLE 3:INVALID APPLICATIONS applicant (thebeinganindividual). Notes 1. BY TYPEOFAPPLICATION ANDOUTCOME TABLE 2:NUMBEROFAPPLICATIONS Excluded information Legal Professional Privilege Contempt Executive Council information Cabinet information Overriding secrecy laws Total Not decidedwithin timeframe (deemedrefusal)¹ Decided after 35days (by agreement with applicant) Decided withinthestatutory timeframe (20days plusany extensions) Invalid applications thatsubsequentlybecamevalid applications Total numberof invalid applications received Application contravenes restraint order (Section110 of theGIPA Act) Application isfor excluded information of theagency(Section43 of theGIPA Act) Application doesnot comply withformal requirements (Section41 of theGIPA Act) Exempt documentsunderequivalent interstate legislation Secrecy provisions Environment, culture, economy andgeneral matters Business interests of agenciesandother persons Individual rights,judicialprocesses andnatural justice Law enforcement andsecurity Responsible andeffective government Personal information applications¹ applications) Access information applications(other thanpersonal applications and partly other applications andpartly Access information applicationsthatare personal partly A personal informationA personal applicationisanaccess application for information personal (asdefinedinclause4ofSchedule to theGIPA Act) aboutthe 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 5 ACCESS GRANTED IN FULL Aboriginal andenvironmental heritage Ministerial code of conduct Care andprotection of children Adoption Transport safety public safety Documents affecting law enforcement and 0 0 3 ACCESS GRANTED IN PART 0 0 2 ACCESS REFUSED IN FULL 0 0 0 INFORMATION NOT HELD INFORMATION 0 0 0 ALREADY AVAILABLE 0 0 0 REFUSE TO DEAL
ecsl.d.u 213 | newcastle.edu.au WITH APPLICANT ACCESS TO INFORMATION REFUSE TO CONFIRM OR 0 0 0 DENY WHETHER INFORMATION IS HELD APPENDICES 14 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 213 0 0 1 APPLICATION WITHDRAWN 214 APPENDICES ACCESS TO INFORMATION
TABLE 7: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS REVIEWED UNDER PART 5 OF THE GIPA ACT (BY TYPE OF REVIEW AND OUTCOME)
DECISION DECISION VARIED UPHELD TOTAL Internal review 0 0 0 Review by Commissioner 0 0 0 Internal review following recommendation under Section 93 of the GIPA Act 0 0 0 Review by NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 The Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendations to the original decision maker. The data in this case indicates that a recommendation to vary or uphold the original decision has been made by the Information Commissioner.
TABLE 8: APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW UNDER PART 5 OF THE GIPA ACT (BY TYPE OF APPLICANT)
Applications by access applicants 0 Review by Commissioner 0 Information applications by persons to whom the subject of access application relates (see Section 54 of the 0 GIPA Act) Total 0
TABLE 9: APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW UNDER PART 5 OF THE GIPA ACT (BY TYPE OF APPLICANT)
Agency - initiated transfer 0 Applicant - initiated transfer 2 Total 2
PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE The Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (the PID Act) sets The University has an internal reporting policy and in place a system to encourage public officials to report procedures in place for receiving, assessing and dealing serious wrongdoing in the categories of maladministration, with public interest disclosures, as required under Section serious and substantial waste of public money, breach of 6D of the PID Act. Our Public Interest Disclosures Policy and the Government Information (Public Access) Act and corrupt protections under the Act support reporters, as required conduct. under Section 6E(1)(b) of the PID Act.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON PIDS
MADE BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS PERFORMING THEIR DAY-TO- UNDER A STATUTORY OR ALL OTHER PIDS DAY FUNCTIONS OTHER LEGAL OBLIGATION Number of public officials who 1 0 0 made PIDs directly Number of PIDs received 1 0 0 Number of PIDs finalised 1 0 0 Note: The number of PIDs finalised only refers to PIDs that have been received since 1 January 2017.
The PIDs received alleged maladministration and was investigated by the Assurance Services business unit, as the relevant authority responsible for handling the investigation in accordance with the University’s obligations under the PID Act and its policy.
214 | The University of Newcastle 215 APPENDICES CONSUMER RESPONSE K CONSUMER RESPONSE
2018 HIGHLIGHTS Our Complaints framework outlines the process to There has been a significant increase in engagement complain and enables us to receive and respond to with students and staff over the past 12 months. issues and complaints quickly and fairly, through early intervention, appropriate support and advocacy, and Complaints and Human Resources teams continue local level resolution where practicable. A formal to engage with and support our communities in complaint arises when issues cannot be resolved via early resolving issues and concerns. intervention or local resolution pathways. The framework is supported through a collaborative approach across the Matters are dealt with in a timely, confidential and University. professional manner. Assurance Services oversees the formal complaints handling processes and supports students and staff to resolve issues locally and informally. In addition, the Complaints Office supports the review of a complaints handling framework to ensure effective management and resolution of issues. This year, 176 formal complaints were raised with the Complaints Office and resolved either via investigation or directly within accountable areas. Of these: Seventy-four percent were raised by students. The number of student complaints (130) received by the Complaints Office, was significantly higher than those lodged in 2017 due to a continued process to increase awareness of the complaints management process. There were nine complaints from staff in 2018 as the Human Resources Services (HRS) business partnership model has successfully worked with staff to resolve issues. The HRS is the first point of contact for staff issues. Twenty-two percent were received from the community. This is consistent with those received in 2017 and 2016. On our website, information is provided to support and assist staff, students and the community to provide feedback, raise issues, lodge complaints and access rights of review. In 2018, there was a continued focus on reviewing our approach to complaints management under the Complaints Resolution Policy together with associated processes and procedures. The Complaints handling processes operate in line with industry management organisations together with the ‘Complaint handling at universities: Australian best practices guidelines’ (January 2015). Human Resources Services, through its business partnership model, remains the first point of contact for staff issues.
newcastle.edu.au | 215 216 APPENDICES REVIEWS L REVIEWS
INTERNAL AUDIT The Internal Audit team supports Council by providing an independent and objective review and advisory service that seeks to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the University’s governance, risk management, legislative compliance, and internal control processes. To achieve this aim, the team undertakes a range of risk-based audits to support Council’s three year Internal Audit Plan. The Director Assurance Services, who heads the Internal Audit team, and the Senior Internal Auditor, have independent reporting lines to the Chair of the Risk Committee and attend Risk Committee meetings to present audit findings and provide status reports on management action taken to address previous findings.
EXTERNAL AUDIT The Audit Office of New South Wales audits the financial statements of the University and its controlled entities.
INTERNAL REVIEWS There were no management reviews undertaken by Internal Audit in the year to 31 December 2018.
216 | The University of Newcastle 217 APPENDICES LEGAL MATTERS M LEGAL MATTERS
MODERN SLAVERY ACT 2018 (NSW) COPYRIGHT ACT 1986 (CTH) The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW) is new legislation which The Copyright Act 1986 (Cth) has been amended to extend requires entities above a consolidated revenue threshold of the operation of the safe harbour scheme to a broader range $100 million to report on modern slavery risks in their global of service providers, including education institutions such as supply chains. This includes The University of Newcastle. The The University of Newcastle. This will protect the University, Act targets modern slavery and human trafficking in supply in certain circumstances, from the risk of liability for chains with the aim of increasing transparency around these inadvertently hosting or communicating infringing material issues for consumers and investors and improving workplace on behalf of their users. anti-slavery practices by holding business to account. Under the legislation the University will be required to publish an HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT 2003 (CTH) annual modern slavery statement, reporting on all potential The Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth) has been modern slavery risks and practises in its operations and amended twice in 2018. supply chains. • The first amendment was made as a measure to improve GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION the sustainability of the Higher Education Loan Program (EUROPEAN UNION) (HELP) and debt recovery of the Student Financial Supplement Scheme, for example by setting new repaying The General Data Protection Regulations have been thresholds for HELP and aligning indexation of HELP established by the European Union. The regulations, which repayment thresholds to CPI. apply only to the personal information of EU citizens, include • The second set of amendments impose a statutory new personal data protection requirements that harmonise requirement on the Federal Minister of Education to data protection laws across the EU. The major impact of the prepare a national regional higher education strategy. GDPR is its extended jurisdiction. Although the University Among other things, the intention of the strategy is to does not have a physical presence in the EU, the regulations support the provision of higher education in regional areas. will apply where the University offers services in the EU and utilises the personal data of EU citizens for statistical and data analytics purposes. Australia’s privacy legislation (and The University of Newcastle’s privacy framework) is based upon principles broadly similar to those contained in the regulations. However there are some enhanced requirements in the GDPR which the University is in the process of incorporating into its privacy framework in order to ensure compliance.
newcastle.edu.au | 217 218 APPENDICES MAJOR WORKS N MAJOR WORKS
STEMM BIORESOURCES FACILITY
Describe nature and range of 2018 saw the completion of the Design Development stage of the project including activities undertaken during consultation with all identified internal and external stakeholders; submission of 2018 the State Significant Development Application to the Department of Planning and Environment; commencement of the Principal Contractor procurement process including a targeted Expression of Interest (EOI) process for contractor shortlistings and ultimately the release of formal tender documentation to the market for the construction of the facility.
Major problems and issues No major problems were encountered with the project in 2018 which arose during 2018
Major works progress during Completion of Design Development. Release of construction contract tender for the 2018 Principal Contractor to market.
Approved Budget $37.5M
2018 Expenditure $1.97M
Total Expenditure to 31 $2.31M December 2018
Dates of completion Q1 2021
Significant cost overruns or delays / amendments / Nil deferments / cancellations
Key activity for 2019 2019 will see the University receive the State Significant Development Application terms and conditions from the Department of Planning and Environment, the award of the Principal Contractor construction contract which was released to the market in Q4 2018. Following award of the contract for the Principal Contractor, works will commence with contractor site establishment, followed by demolition of the existing glasshouses; bulk excavations leading to commencement and completion of the buildings main structural elements prior to the end of 2019.
218 | The University of Newcastle 219 APPENDICES MAJOR WORKS
STEMM 1 PRECINCT, CALLAGHAN
Describe nature and range of 2018 saw the engagement of the Project Managers, Principal Design Consultant for main activities undertaken during works and Principal Engineering Design Consultant for the Enabling Works. The project 2018 saw the initiation of the Concept design stage including identification and consultation with internal stakeholders. The University submitted the request for Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEAR’s) for the submission of the State Significant Development Application to the Department of Planning and Environment.
Major problems and issues No major problems were encountered with the project in 2018. which arose during 2018
Major works progress during Establishment of Project Team, Commencement of Concept Design. 2018
Approved Budget $175M (excludes glasshouse relocation)
2018 Expenditure $1.14M
Total Expenditure to 31 $1.22M December 2018
Dates of completion Q2 2023
Significant cost overruns The location of the STEMM development was strategically reconsidered to ensure or delays / amendments / the maximum possible value is obtained from the current approved investment in deferments / cancellations the STEMM Precinct. The more prominent Gateway site, currently where the McMullin Building is located was deemed the superior location due to the increased visibility and potential to create a campus entry statement, allowing a stronger connection with industry and community. To realise the Gateway site potential, the STEMM project requires an additional 10 months to demolish the McMullin building and redirect critical site services before the STEMM Building is able to commence construction.
Key activity for 2019 Enabling works design finalisation and procurement of enabling works Principal Contractor with construction beginning August. Main works design finalisation, release of EOI for main works Principal Contractor and preparation of Principal Contractor tender documents.
newcastle.edu.au | 219 220 APPENDICES MAJOR WORKS
STEMM – CENTRAL COAST MEDICAL SCHOOL RESEARCH INSTITUTE PROJECT
Describe nature and range of During 2018 the major activities have focused on finalising the funding agreements activities undertaken during associated with the project as well as the accommodation requirements, occupancy 2018 arrangements for the facility and delivery methodology for the construction and fitout of the facility.
Major problems and issues Completion has been revised to early 2021 due to the finalisation of the car park podium which arose during 2018 and finalisation of funding agreements.
Approved Budget $72.5M
2018 Expenditure $8.2M
Total Expenditure to 31 $8.2M December 2018
Dates of completion 2021
Significant cost overruns Completion date has been revised due to completion of car park podium, on which this or delays / amendments / facility will be constructed, and finalisation of the underlying funding agreements and deferments / cancellations occupancy arrangements.
Key activity for 2019 2019 will see the commencement of major construction works for the project. Namely: • Award of construction contract and construction of the Base building, which will be delivered by Health Infrastructure NSW. • Award of Project Manager and construction contract for fitout. Finalisation of Fitout design. UON will lead the fitout of the Facility.
220 | The University of Newcastle 221 APPENDICES MAJOR WORKS
NEWCASTLE CITY CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT
Describe nature and range of 2018 saw the University submit a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to activities undertaken during the Department of Planning & Environment (DP&E) for the Concept Masterplan of the 2018 Newcastle City Campus Development. The University purchased the Honeysuckle land from Hunter & Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCD). The Enabling Works has been designed including Mine Subsidence Remediation. Stage 1A, School of Creative Industries & Innovation Hub has progressed into Schematic Design including consultation with all identified internal and external stakeholders. The University also submitted the request for SEARs for the submission of the Stage 1A State Significant Development Application to the Department of Planning and Environment, as well as two local Authority Development Applications to Newcastle City Council for both the Enabling Works and Mine Grouting works to the site. The Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Business Case was approved in the August University Council Meeting. The Expression of Interest for the Lead Architect was completed with a shortlist of 4 architects identified to proceed into the Request for Proposal
Major problems and issues No major problems were encountered with the project in 2018. which arose during 2018
Major works progress during Stage 1A: Establishment of Project Team. Lodgement of the Concept Masterplan SSDA, 2018 Completion of Enabling Works Schematic Design, completion of Stage 1A Concept Design, Business Case approval of Purpose Built Student Accommodation Project, Land Sale
Approved Budget Stage 1A: $25M Site 1 and 2 Enabling Works: $8M (Site 1) and $2M (Site 2) PBSA: $42.25M
2018 Expenditure $1.21M
Total Expenditure to 31 $1.21M December 2018
Dates of completion Stage 1A: Q3 2021 Enabling Works: Q3 2019 PBSA: Q1 2021
Key activity for 2019 The Concept Masterplan SSDA will be determined in the first quarter of 2019. 2019 will see the commencement and completion of site enabling works. Design development for Stage 1A will be completed with a SSDA lodged and determined. Stage 1A Principal Contractor procurement and award of contract will occur and the construction works on Stage 1A will commence. PBSA design will be completed along with application of the SSD, the tender and award of the Principal Contractor for the design and construction of the PBSA.
newcastle.edu.au | 221 222 APPENDICES GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
AASB 101 and throughout financial notes Australian Accounting Standards Board
AAHMS 19 Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences
ACEC 211 Animal Care and Ethics Committee
ANU 9, 84, 91 Australian National University
ARC 18, 52, 126, 211, Australian Research Council
Athena UK Charter established in 2005 to respond to the under- 17, 19, 196, 202 SWAN representation of women in science leadership.
BHERT 19 Business/Higher Education Round Table Awards
CBD 9, 13, 71, 81, 101 Central Business District
CEEHE 68, 201 Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education
CRC 18 Co-operative Research Centre
CRRMH 71 The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (The) Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research CSIRO 9, 31 Organisation DADEE 69 Dads and Daughters Exercising and Empowered
DFAT 62 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
DTC 9, 42 Doctoral Training Centre
E+I18 43 Enterprise and Innovation 2018 event
EAP 206 (the University's) Employee Assistance Program Founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012, edX is an online edX 43 learning destination and MOOC provider EFTSL 14, 15, 192, 195 Equivalent Full-time Student Load
ELICOS 192, 195 English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students
ELT 18 English Language Teaching Barometer
EOCGE 16 Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
ESG 8, 81 Environmental, Social and Governance issues
ESP 77 Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019-2025
FTE 15, 192, 202 Full Time Equivalent GIPA, The 212-214 Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 GIPA Act HDR 75, 192 Higher Degree by Research
HEPPP 201 Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program
HERDC 3, 8, 14, 47, 101, 102, 154 Higher Education Research Data Collection
HMRI 18, 23, 47, 48, 51, 56, 67, 71, 206 Hunter Medical Research Institute
HNEH 18 Hunter New England Health
HPB 70 Hunter Pilot Biorefinery
HREC 211 Human Research Ethics Committee
222 | The University of Newcastle 223 APPENDICES GLOSSARY
HRIPA 212 Health Records and Information Privacy Act 202 (NSW) i2N 42 Integrated Innovation Network
LTIFR 207 Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate
METS 9, 42 Mining Equipment Technology and Services
MOOCs 42 Massive Open Online Course(s)
MOU 16, 18, 56 Memorandum of Understanding
MRFF 48, 50 Medical Research Future Fund
NHMRC 48, 68, 211 The National Health and Medical Research Council
NIER 68, 70 Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources NUW 9, 19 UON, UNSW and UOW Alliance (Alliance) OOHC 68 Out of Home Care PID, The PID 214 Public Interest Disclosure, The Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 Act PPIPA 212 Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW)
QILT 6 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching QS World University 3, 10, 13, 18, 40 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings Rankings QTR 8, 44 Quality Teaching Rounds
RAMHP 71 (The) Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
SAGE 13, 17, 19, 196, 202 Science in Australia Gender Equity
SEC 19 Science and Engineering Challenge
STEMM 13, 19, 43, 73, 75, 196, 202, 218, 219, 220 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine
STA 43 Science and Technology Australia The Educator Network, supporting teaching, research and tEN 40 professional excellence TBS 107 TUNRA Bulk Solids business unit
TNK 48 Tenecteplase
TUNRA 102, 107, 167 The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited 9, 12, 24, 40, 59, 74, 101, 102, 106, 160, 167, UON University of Newcastle 195, 196, 200, 201, 202, 206, 207, 210,220 UNISDR 49 United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
VR 16, 19, 39, 210 Virtual Reality
WAAS 24 World Academy of Art and Science
WGEA 6, 16, 196, 202 Workplace Gender Equality Agency WIR 73 Women in Research (Fellowship) WOW 21 Waves of Wellness Foundation
newcastle.edu.au | 223 224 APPENDICES COMPLIANCE INDEX
INDEX A G R About Us 10 Governance 8, 10, 12, 82-93 Report of Operations 28-82 Academic Senate 12, 83, 84, 88, 91, 92, 93, 193 Governance – academic 93 Reviews 216 Access - consumer 215 Governance – commercial research 107 Risk: Access – information 212-214 Governance – Health & Safety 207 • Management framework 209 Access – student 9, 13, 19, 68. 200-201, Governance – risk 209 • Hazard and risk 207 Access and printing costs (Annual Report) Governance – sustainable 76 inside back cover Government Information Public Access (GIPA) S Accounts payable performance 104 Act 212 Staff equity statistics 197 Alumni 7, 9, 10, 12, 21, 36, 56, 59, 62-63, 106 Staff - fixed term and ongoing FTE 15 Audited Financial Statements 160 H Staff Indigenous 10, 50, 93 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 186 Hazard and risk management 207 Strategic plan 12, 95, 106, 199, 200, 202, 206 Health Records and Information Privacy Act Strategic plan - 2025 Vision 10 B 2002 (NSW) (HRIPA) 212 Student/s Basis of Authority - Council 83 Human Resources 202-207, 215 • Indigenous 7, 10, 29, 30, 31, 59, 125, 126, Budget 89, 102-103, 105, 179, 199 Budget – major works – 218-221 I • load 14-15, 106, 192, 195 Indigenous – outreach programs 65, 75 • international load 14, 195 C Insurance 209 • Five year key statistics 192 Council - statement by members 185 Internal audit 216 Subsidiaries 106 Committees - Council 83, 88, 90, 92 Investment performance 104 Summary review of operations 6-82 Code of Conduct 210 Sustainability 10, 76-81, 106 Compliance Report 192-224 L Conjoint staff 203 Land disposal 105 U Consumer response 215 Legal matters 217 University Council 84-87, 165, 207, 209, 221 Letter of Submission - inside front cover D Liability management performance 104 V Disability 58, 125,126, 132, 177, 179, 197- 198 Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) 207 Values 10 Diversity 9, 17, 19, 73, 196-201 Vision 10 M Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the E Major works 218-221 Governance of Australian Universities 83 EEO Target Groups – trends/distribution 198 Management and governance 82-93 Enrolments 6, 7, 14-15, 192, 195 W Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) O Who we Are 10 issues 8, 81 Organisation Workplace Health and Safety 202 Environmental Sustainability 10, 76-81 • committees – Council 82-93 Equity 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 40, 68, 73, 75, 196-201 • governance 82-93 Y Equity – financial 111, 112-113, 123 • organisational chart 12 Year in review 16-20 Ethics 210-211 • executive officers 12, 94-97 Executive remuneration 208 • Overview 6-82
F P Financials 100-187 Payment of accounts 104 Five-year key statistics 192 Personnel (see staff) Funds granted to non-government Public availability (Annual Report) inside community organisations 105 back cover Public Interest Disclosure 214
224 | The University of Newcastle Contact T: +61 2 4921 5000 (General Enquiries) T: +61 2 4921 5577 (Media Unit) W: newcastle.edu.au This annual report is available in electronic form at the following address: newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/annual-report
Office hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Secretariat Mr David Cantrick-Brooks Ms Kim Davis University Secretary/Chief Governance Deputy University Secretary, Officer, Council and Records Management Council and Records Management The University of Newcastle The University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Australia E: [email protected] E: [email protected] (Council and Records Management) (Council and Records Management)
Access and printing costs We welcome feedback and enquiries from the public by telephone, postal mail, email or in person. Alternatively, please complete and save the form available at newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/annual-report Returning it to us by print, post or via email to: [email protected]
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newcastle.edu.au | 225 2019 1000 I CRICOS Provider 00109J NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU